A Summer Vintage Voyage

Local musician and vintage enthusiast Nora Jane Struthers kicked off her summer by launching out on a Nashville vintage voyage. She held listening shows at local boutiques, and one lady in each crowd won a dress from the boutique where the show was held. The result of the voyage? A trip back in fashion time with looks from the '40s, '50s, and '60s.

This early-1950s cappuccino-and-white striped cotton dress comes from Diamond Star Halo at Fanny’s House of Music in East Nashville. The A-line skirt and squared neckline are complemented by the frock’s flattering “V” pattern, all of which are favorites of Nora Jane, pictured.

Kay Dunn Hill dress, $45 at Diamond Star Halo at Fanny's House of Music; Coventry earrings, $10 at Rowtique; Marianne shoes, from Struthers’s personal collection
 

In War Times: The 1940s
Styles of the 1940s were greatly influenced by World War II as less fabric was used to make clothes in an effort to ration the materials that were available. As a result, skirts were shorter, as exemplified in this classic 1940s blue-and-white gingham dress worn by new Nashvillian Helena McDonell, winner at the Clothing Xchange Vintage Voyage show. The square neckline and mid-length sleeves follow suit in the era's defining features. The headband, originally intended as a sailor bow to be worn around the neck, is repurposed to tie back McDonell's hair and bring the entire look together.

Youtheme dress, $14; Sunshine Fashion belt, $4; Lucky necklace $15; Lucille de Paris clutch, $21, all from Clothing Xchange. Shoes from stylist’s personal collection

LET IT DOWN: The 1950s
When World War II ended and the fabric shortage was over, fuller skirts gained in popularity. Pictured here, Haylee Morphew, winner at the Diamond Star Halo Vintage Voyage show, wears a 1950s blue/grey cotton skirt, which blends well with a sexy 1960s bohemian-style white cotton top. To keep it consistent, she uses some 1950s sensibilities and tucks it in.

Vera top, $23; Alex Coleman skirt, $35; both from Diamond Star Halo at Fanny’s House of Music. Shoes from Morphew’s personal collection; Starline vintage luggage courtesy of Ciciley Hoffman

A Splash of Color: The 1960s
In the 1960s, fashions took on a more colorful tone with blues and greens being among the most popular. George Bray, pictured here, won this dress at the Rowtique Vintage
Voyage show.

1960s Anne Fogarty Dress, $42.95 from Rowtique; shoes from Bray’s personal collection

BONUS!! A Little Something For You!

Want to hear some of Nora Jane's vintage-inspired songs? Check out norajanestruthers.com and enter the promo code HERNASHVILLE for your free downloads.