Fred Stein (1909–1967) was an early pioneer of the hand-held camera who became a gifted street photographer in Paris and New York after he was forced to flee his native Germany by the Nazi threat in the early 1930s. He explored the new creative possibilities of photography, capturing spontaneous scenes from life on the street. He was also a master portraitist, creating intimate images of many of the great personalities of the 20th century. In the freedom of New York, the energy of the city infused Stein's work. He added the medium-format Rolleiflex, which takes pictures in a square format. The city's cultural mix fit perfectly with his talents and concerns. He took to the streets and ranged from Harlem to Fifth Avenue, invigorated by the bustle and variety of the New World. He loved the American spirit; and as an outsider, he came to the various ethnic areas without preconceived ideas. He was able to see in the residents a style, humor and dignity that seems perfectly fresh, even today, as evidenced in "Little Italy" 1943. Newspaper Hat, 1946 Girl in Car, 1947 Mt. Morris Park Two Matrons, NY, 1948 Police Car, New York, 1942 Lunch Break, New York, 1947 Brooklyn boys, 1946 Post No Bills, NY, 1946 Dobbs, Fifth Avenue, NY, 1946 Ballfield, NY, 1946 Coney Island, 1946 Times Square Night, NY, 1947 Shoeshine, 1948 Nadinola, New York, 1944 Man on Bumper, NY, 1949 Thumbs Up, NY, 1944 Hydrant, 1947 Climbing Rocks, NY, 1948 Americans All, New York, 1943 Orchard Beach, New York, 1946 Man in Pushcart, NY, 1944 Under the El, New York, 1949 Subway Steps, NY, 1943 Little Italy, New York, 1943 Chinatown, 1944 Bench, NY, 1941 Vaudeville, NY 1946 Snow White, 1946 Schoolboys, NY, 1944 Italy Surrenders, NY, 1943 Foley Square, NY, 1948

No outfit says you're not afraid to get down and dirty better than a pair of overalls. Tough, functional, and sturdy, they've been the worki...

While there is much to be gleaned from the sartorial inspiration provided by yesteryear starlets and staged mid-century fashion shoots in magazines (and goodness knows I adore both of these things unceasingly), my biggest source of vintage fashion inspiration has - and I believe always will be - the looks that real everyday women like myself were sporting during my favourite decades. I'm intrigued to see how those on a budget dressed, to know how they did their hair, what shoes they opted for, and how they interpreted the trends and timeless looks of the era alike. Oftentimes when one sees an old photograph we know little to nothing about the person in it, and so must form a backstory for that person in our minds (a topic I chatted about in this post last year). Then, as now, even though we swoon over the looks that most ladies sported during the time, it's interesting to keep in mind that not every gal we see would have been a fashionista, a clothes horse, or perhaps (unthinkable as this may be to many of us now) even the biggest fan of the styles of the decade. Many however, were, as us gals have always veered towards harbouring a significant love for fashion and clothing, no matter what year it was. The 1940s aren't exactly known for being the easiest decade of all time. For most, clothing rations were in place for most of the forties, and even when items were available, many often could not afford to buy them frequently. This wartime culture created the famous make due or mend mentality which truly helped to steer people from all walks of life through the challenges of the decade and ensured that what little there was to go around was able to provide for everyone - and to last for years. I myself have often adopted this same principle, guided and inspired, by those of both the tumultuous thirties and the harrowing forties. One season that - in the western hemisphere at least - rarely calls for the need for too much in the way of clothing is summer (a point which I'd venture to guess women of the 40s liked a whole lot). And so this week as we head into June and summer looms ever closer, I wanted to share a selection of vintage fashions - sported by real world ladies of the 1940s - with all of you that will definitely be providing a hefty dose of guidance for own fashion choices this season. {Love the array of patterns on the skirts and dresses, as well as the middle gal's beautiful flower adorned hairstyle.} {Stripes, cuffs and saddle shoes while sitting on the sand - that's a look I could easily see myself sporting, as I like to remain fairly well covered at the beach most of the time.} {The caplet-esque collar and generously sized plaid pattern make this summer dress a real standout.} {A trio of classic 1940s warm weather button front daywear dresses and three very pretty smiles, to boot.} {A ruffled neckline and cute plaid pattern don't discuss the sense of plucky spunk I see radiating from this cool gal's face.} {It's short shorts and strappy sandals for this stylish pair of girlfriends. (Love the overall/jumper style of the shorts on the right!)} {In part because I rarely expose my bare arms completely, I often includes lightweight knits in my outfits during the warmer months, and could totally see myself wearing this sweet little short sleeve sweater all summer long.} {Two gals munch on something yummy on a stick - taffy perhaps - while out camping. One sports shorts, the other pants, and both look completely cute - and comfortable - for a day spent out in the wilderness.} {The tunic-like quality of this tie neck (and waist) blouse is so airy and appealing for the dog days of summer.} {I love longer hemlines on my vintage dresses, and would happily don either one of these pretty summer frocks - as well as the adorable (and highly practical) wide brim straw hats.} {Plaid Bermuda shorts, a short sleeved knit top, saddle shoes, and dark red lips add up to one thoroughly terrific warm weather casual look.} {Romance and style abound in this heartwarming photograph of a 1940s couple. He in his military uniform, she is a wonderfully pretty summer dress and ankle strap sandals.} {Though casual, there is an undeniable sense of elegance to this beautiful woman's outfit which comes through in the timelessness of the trousers and blouse, as well as her sweet little watch and voluminously curly hair.} {Another excellent pants based 1940s summer look, this time partnered with a short sleeve suit jacket.} {A quintet of fashionably fabulous 1940s dresses, each stylish and highly covetable to this day. I'm especially fond of the ruffled pinafore number in the middle and the bow collared floral number on the far right.} {All images above are from Flickr. To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective Flickr page.} ♥ ♥ ♥ Whether humble and simple, or fancy and elegant, there is such a timelessly wonderful appeal to the looks of this era. Interestingly, even though the 1950s are often seen as being a decade filled with youth culture (and it certainly was), I've always thought that there was a beautifully youthful quality to many of the looks of the 40s, too. Perhaps that stemmed from the way many of the 1940s classically tailored pieces hugged the figure, the fact that for much of the decade hemlines were relatively high, or that handmade and mass produced garments mingled side-by-side in most peoples' wardrobes. Whatever the case, whether gaily youthful or starkly sophisticated, the forties are a decade I never tire of looking to - and dressing from. I hope that today's images of fashionable gals just like us will provide you with as much inspiration as they will for me this summer - and well, well beyond.

The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946-49 between the Greek government army—backed by the United Kingdom and the United States—and the Democratic Army of Greece, the military branch of the Greek Communist Party, backed by the USSR, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Albania. It was the result of a highly polarized struggle between leftists and rightists that started in 1943 and targeted the power vacuum that the German-Italian occupation during World War II had created. One of the first conflicts of the Cold War, according to some analysts it represents the first example of postwar North European and North American involvement in the internal politics of a foreign country. (Wikipedia) Steel-helmeted Elas troops use a corner building as a shelter as they fire at police headquarters during a civil uprising in Athens. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 1944 Greek government commandos near Karpenisi, equipped with British berets and American fur-trimmed jackets. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A sentry on guard on Mount Likebetos, overlooking the city of Athens. Military forces were employed to guard the city against possible attacks from communist paratrooper guerrillas. (Photo by Chris Ware/Keystone/Getty Images). 1947 Refugee children in a filthy cellar at Piraeus during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Getty Images). 1st November 1947 Greek National Guards bring prisoners from guerilla-occupied territory to Drama in northern Greece. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A Home Guard at Goumenissa, Macedonia, after an Andartes raid during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Getty Images). August 1947 The Greek army opening fire on guerrilla troops during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A group of soldiers loading a wounded man on a stretcher into a van during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A Greek soldier surveys the surrounding mountainside from his tank during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A pair of Greek soldiers make contact with their troops on a field radio during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A Greek commando soldier, wearing a fur-collared jacket supplied by the Americans, waits for a guerrilla target to emerge during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 During the Greek Civil War, government troops are instructed to cease travelling and fortify their position during the night, when the guerrilla army is more likely to attack. The last transport of the night makes its way along a lonely mountain road. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 An old Greek woman takes her most precious possession, a calf, loads it onto her donkey and heads away from the battle zone during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A band of Greek army commandos on the move during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 1948 A Greek woman checks in with the village patrol for the evening curfew during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 Greek commander General Vadzis holds a conference with General Van Fleet (centre) of the US and Major-General Down (left) of Britain during the Greek Civil War. The interest of the western powers in the conflict lies mainly in preventing the communist forces of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia from gaining a stronghold in Greece. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A Greek soldier keeps his machine gun at the ready, on the lookout for guerrilla troops during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 A truck carries a band of government soldiers along a rocky mountain pass during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948 Monarchist soldiers armed with a machine gun guarding a mountain garrison at Karpenisi during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Getty Images). 1948 A mule train carrying ammunition near Papades on Euboia during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Getty Images). 1948 Officers plan the assault on Mount Kiapha at Mount Lyoku during the Greek Civil War, while a Greek Orthodox priest drinks coffee. Each brigade has a chaplain who travels with them. (Photo by Federico Patellani/Getty Images). 1947 One exhausted guerrilla fighter surrenders to the Greek army during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Getty Images). 1948 Greek regular soldiers search a peasant and his wife for arms, which are being smuggled to the Andartes rebels during the Greek Civil War. (Photo by Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Getty Images). October 1947 Greek soldiers climbing ropes during training by British officers in the Greek civil war. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images). 1947 A class of recruits in the technical training wing of a Greek training centre are given advice from a British instructor during the civil war. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images). 1947

Original Collection: Gifford Photographic Collection (P 218) Item Number: P 218 SG 4 0519 Image Description: First day of school, Highland School, 1949. You can find this image by searching for the item number by clicking here. Want more? You can find more digital resources online. We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons; however, certain restrictions on high quality reproductions of the original physical version may apply. To read more about what “no known restrictions” means, please visit the Special Collections & Archives website, or contact staff at the OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center for details.

A photographic document of black experience in Britain which reveals how black British identity has emerged in the last two hundred years.

A typical teen wardrobe choice of 1949 -

A vintage knitting and crochet pattern magazine from the 1940s, for small children's animal sweaters, plain sweaters, to fit sizes 2 years, 4 years and 6 years. The guide is called "Lacey's Children's Book" and it is Volume 21, copyrighted in 1949 by "yT.M. Lacey." 15 pages containing over 14 patterns, illustrations and black and white photographs, in this magazine style guide. Patterns include: Classic Pullover (with animal pattern motifs of elephants, ducks and deer) Raglan Sleeve Cardigan Speed Knit and Striped Pullover Sleeveless Pullover Crew Neck Pullover Speed Knit, Classic, Sport-Yarn, Sleeveless and Cable Front Cardigan Tobogan Cap Knitted and Crocheted Beret Condition: Good vintage. The guide is completely intact and all pattern are legible. Someone drew a mustache on the girl on the cover photograph, in pencil! (see photo #2 above) There is staining on the covers and a bit over yellowing inside. You might like: http://www.etsy.com/listing/95629543/1920s-guide-stain-removal-guide-vintage

images from life magazine, taken in the mid to late 1940’s by nina leen. not much has changed. “teenage girl wearing blue jeans and large checkered shirt which is usual after-school costume. 1944”…

Vintage 50's Varsity Leather Letterman Jacket Vintage 50's Varsity Leather Letterman Jacket Vintage 50's Varsity Leather Letterman Jack...

Using Google Images as my time machine, here is some of what I saw in 1949: Click on images to enlarge or see the film; click on links to go to posts on the given subject: Dorothy Dandridge in a gl…

Nat Farbman. A couple relaxing on the banks of the Seine River in Paris, France - during the spring of 1949

Réne Groebli was born in Zurich, Switzerland. In the 1940s he studied under the noted photographer, Hans Finsler. In 1949 he secured his place among European post-war artists with his iconic portfo…

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