This post is from our archive. Many of the vintage items shown may therefore be sold out, but you can still find current vintage-inspired dresses, shoes, and accessories in our shop.

7 min read

Summer fashion from 1900-1970

From 1900 to 1970 - Summer looks through the decades

Then it is the Danish summer. It's the time of light nights with light dresses and with only a cardigan over in the evening.

This year we have received a lot of beautiful summer outfits, and we span the time from the 1910s to the 1970s, and all the beautiful designs and silhouettes that this may entail.

Today we go up through the time from 1910, starting with the latest summer dresses and summer outfits that you can find in the store right now.

Gibson girls and the 20th century

From Emmy Design, it's the Immortal Maxi skirt we're sticking to. Together with the new Gibson girl blouse, or Edwardian blouse, it is a fantastic set that reminds us of Skagen's painters, and at the same time feels modern.

The silhouette in the 1910s was still characterized by corsets which forced the body into an S-shape, but in the artist circle on Skagen, you see the slightly looser romantic summer look.

The focus was still on a very slim waist, but the shirt and skirt are more airy with greater freedom of movement. And we recognize the light, bright muslin and linen look in Emmy's delicate designs.

Edwardian fashion became very popular in the 1970s, a revival which means that you can actually also use both skirt and blouse for a cool 70s look.

The silhouette in the 1930s - Glamor and Beach Pajamas

In the twenties we have the famous garconne silhouette, the dresses have a super low waist and go straight up and down. But after the stock market crash in 1929, the dresses must again be feminine, preferably with a hint of Hollywood glamour. In the 1930s, the dresses are smooth and draped in style, and now they conform to the female figure, preferably without the corset.

It is also in the 1930s that Palazzo trousers sneak into fashion not just for the elite, but for all women who dare to be part of the still slightly "different" fashion. And it is also especially in summer fashion that we see the beautiful trousers that are perfect for the beach and sun.

With inspiration in the 1930s, we also see wonderful things from Emmy Design. The Splendid shirt dress, for example, with the draped tulip sleeves. Of the beautiful high-waisted pants with a lot of width in the legs, we have both Riviera Pants from House of Foxy, and the beautiful new Emmy pants Playful Palazzo.

And then Emmy Design stands for the striped palazzo trousers and the jazzed-up skirt. Both stripes and the length of the skirt belong perfectly in the summer fashion of the 1930s.

For a beautiful 1930s look, you can for example wear them with the beautiful peasant tops from The House of Foxy.

1940s: Shoulders and A-line cut

The summer dresses in the 40s are characterized by having a focus on the shoulders and being in an A-line cut. The dresses are also versatile; the classic shirt dresses and wrap dresses can be used for many things, which was important during the rationing of the war years.

Our bestseller, the Ava dress, can be used all year round, but is absolutely beautiful for summer use. Like The Seamstress of Bloomsbury's wrap dress that is perfect for summer and the beach. Or how about the beautiful Kathy in green with dots and the little bow at the neck.
The shirt dresses from Very Cherry are the perfect 1940s summer dresses in bright and light colors and patterns.

The 1940s are also the lovely House of Foxy shorts, which are perfect with a short-sleeved shirt.

On cool summer evenings, the beautiful 1940s-style cardigans from Emmy Design are also suitable. The slim sleeves and puffs at the shoulders help to highlight the typical 40's silhouette.

See the 1940s style

The ultimate summer dress? 1950s swing dresses

Nothing says summer dress like a 1950s-inspired swing dress, preferably in a fresh bright color or in a beautiful print.

The swing silhouette and Dior's New Look need little introduction to our loyal customers and readers; it is the 1950s focus on the hourglass shape with a capital T. This means a narrow waist, preferably emphasized by a belt, and a large skirt, often with a petticoat underneath. There was an urge to be wasteful with the fabric after many years of rationing, and the female silhouette had to be in focus.

The swing dress is perhaps the ultimate summer dress, as it is super comfortable with a large airy skirt in the summer heat.

For summer parties or receptions, you can also choose a sleeveless pencil dress that also belongs in the 1950s.

This year we have the beautiful pencil summer dresses from Zoe Vine in beautiful colours.

We have swing summer dresses from many brands, but see, for example, the beautiful swing dresses from Retrospec'd with their authentic and unique novelty patterns in true 50's style. And of course we also have the bestselling dresses from Eva Rose with beautiful summery patterns.

But summer outfits in the 1950s aren't just dresses, they're also capri pants and tie shirts. And that's why we also have it for you. From Heart of Haute there are two beautiful cropped tie shirts and from Smak Parlor we have capri pants on their way to you.

See the 1950s style here

Thigh-short 1960s Minis and 1970s Maxis

The early 60s are very similar to the 50s with pencil and swing dresses. Only from the mid- 60s does something really new happen. The mini skirt or 'the thigh short' becomes synonymous with youth and Swinging London and it is Mary Quant who is behind the mini skirt and the thigh short as a design phenomenon.

We naturally have mini skirts in our range. The mini skirt can be worn all year round, but our summer minis are bright in the fabric with heart details and a pretty mini dress with daisies are perfect for your 60's summer look. We have mini skirts from Smak Palour and from Heart of Haute, and there is the nice mini dress -Follow your Heart from Unique Vintage.

Wear them with the 60s-inspired Estelle shirt with pussy bow. We also have the Denise top from Heart of Haute with short sleeves and the typical high neck 60s collar.

There are also the perfect summer rompers, i.e. pantsuits with short legs, perfect for hot summer days in 60s style. See them under pantsuits.

It is also in the 1960s that the hippie culture belongs and culminates in the years 1967 -1969 with first the Summer of Love in 67 and then Woodstock in 69. The style is T-shirts and trousers with sway. Check out our Electric West T shirts and pants to emulate the style.

See the 1960s style here

By the time we reach the 1970s there are a multitude of styles vying for attention. Flared pants are still big in fashion, but the mini is completely out. Now it's midi and especially MAXI dresses and skirts. As described at the beginning, you flirt with nostalgia and the Edwardian period, and frills and lace are back in fashion. Also there is the pantsuit! The trouser suit with sway in the legs and preferably with a halter neck.

Then it's lucky that we have all that for you!

The most beautiful maxi summer dresses from Very Cherry and pantsuits in both short and long from Trashy Diva, Smak Parlor and Rebel Love.

See the 1970s style here

Mix the styles for your own unique vintage summer look

You can of course choose to stick to one specific style and wear the beautiful 1940s style summer dresses with a summer cardigan from Emmy in the cropped 40s style. Or wear the beautiful Gibson girl shirt with the Immortal maxi skirt. But there is nothing in the way of mixing to your very own personal style.

All separates can be styled with each other, regardless of whether you choose the striped midi skirt and 60s blouse from Heart of Haute or the trumpet trousers for, for example, an Edwardian blouse. As I said, the Edwardian style came back in the 70s, so mix the two. For example, wear the skirt with one of our Electric West T-shirts, or the shirts with the trousers with a 70s vibe!
Come down and try the new summer clothes and be inspired to find your very own summer look.

Summer greetings,

Team Mondo Kaos ❤