When we look back on the 1930s, we think of a rather bleak decade that was largely defined by economic struggle and political upheaval. Believe it or not, however, a lot of fashion from this time was the very most in glamour and opulence.
Vintage store catalogs
This collection of vintage Pier 1 Christmas ads shows the great variety of gifts, home decor, and Christmas decorations they had available through the second half of the 20th century.
This huge collection of 1940s vintage wallpaper samples show the decade was more colorful than you’d imagine from seeing just black and white photos. Take a look back!
Years ago, in order to check out a book, there were specific systems in place for librarians and readers. Here’s a look back at vintage checkout cards & due date slips libraries used!
What were girls, tweens & teens wearing in 1983? See vintage 80s clothes for girls like preppy polo shirts, ruffle-trimmed plaid blouses, oversized shirt-dresses, dirndl skirts, and drop-waist minidresses.
Stained glass windows are back in style! Take a look at lots of gorgeous design examples, for churches, homes and businesses – plus get some historical perspective on stained and leaded glass art!
’80s sleeping bags were super-popular because they were functional often featured favorite cartoon characters, TV shows – even everyday products. Here, take a trip back a few decades to see some of the most popular slumber bags of the eighties!
From pretty in pink to bold in black, teen girls put a lot of time and money into finding just the perfect now-vintage ’80s prom dress. Here’s a look at more than a hundred of the styles available back then!
For decades after their introduction in 1963, Easy-Bake Ovens showed up on wish lists for Santa and for birthdays, and millions of them were sold. Take a look back!
There was no question that these 1950s gloves for women were stylish – but they were also a required accessory for any proper lady. See pictures of dozens of styles, plus get vintage fashion tips & glove etiquette.
What’s the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring? Although we often use these terms interchangeably, linoleum and vinyl are actually two distinctly different flooring products.
Why take the stairs while you can ride up in comfort inside one of these metalwork ‘cage’ style antique elevators, made with beautiful ornamental iron? Just tell the bellhop what floor you want.
Want to see what some 1950s home decor looked like? We’ve collected more than 140 mid century wallpaper samples, from classic to kitsch, and everything in between.
If you’re buying a 1950s house, already live in one, or want to see how new suburban homes were designed back in the ‘Leave it to Beaver’ era, see some fantastic ’50s house plans here!
Antique travel trunks like these were like super-extra suitcases that offered more than just space for clothing that helped people easily pack and organize entire outfits, right down to the accessories. Here’s a peek!
Called ‘the world’s greatest toy catalog,’ vintage FAO Schwarz toy catalogs like this gives you a peek at what children of all ages loved to play with back in the sixties.
Here, see vintage lots of 1960s lingerie – including girdles, corselets, bras, garters, pantyhose, nylons, bras, slips, panties, underwear, foundation garments and more from vintage catalogs from the sixties!
What were the hottest 80s shoes for men? Take a look back at what guys were wearing – and how they were swapping traditional dress shoes for newer and more casual models.
Casual vintage ’80s menswear was more relaxed than sportswear, but more socially acceptable than pajamas. But the big new star of this era? Jogging suits. See retro t-shirts, sweatpants & much more here!
Take a look back into the ’70s to remember more than 100 different kinds of retro window curtains, including sheers, tie-backs and cafe curtains!
Check out the wide variety of 70s shoes available for women — as well as 70s-inspired modern options you can buy today!
Want to see some fancy retro footwear? Take a look back at a few of the many styles of women’s shoes from the ’80s, including spike heels, wedges, flats, pumps, penny loafers, moccasins and boat shoes, just to name a few!
Take a look back this collection of old office cubicles and company layouts from the 1970s to see what it was like to work in America’s corporate 9-to5 world a few decades ago.
These bold and bright retro 1970s sheet sets and bedding ensembles delightfully epitomize the colorful fashions – both in home decor and clothing – of the groovy years.
If you have ever thought that 1920s shoes for women were pretty much all the same, think again! There was practically a shoe style revolution between WWI and the Great Depression. Take a look here.
Antique early American weathervanes shaped like horses, cows, deer, roosters, angels, ships and even fish were hammered in metal and used as much to decorate rooftops as to note the direction of the wind
What were women wearing in 1973? See the trendsetting vintage 1970s dresses, miniskirts, maxi skirts, rompers, A-lines, shifts, empire styles and more!
Check out this collection of beautiful antique Victorian fireplaces – detailed mantels and classic grates – with an elegant style to suit homes of the late 1800s.
If you could go back in time, these are the vintage ’80s home stereo systems – turntables, cassette decks, stereos, TVs and VCRs – you probably would have seen. But if you go back, don’t spoil the surprise! We thought we were cool.
A shag carpet toilet lid cover with matching tank cover sound good? our counterparts in the ’70s loved their fuzzy toilet covers, and weren’t ashamed to admit it.
Some of the most stylish vintage 1960s shoes for women had bows, flowers, rhinestones, buckles, straps and ruffles. And don’t forget the broad, chunky heels! Here’s a look back.
If you were planning to get a new kitchen for your home in the 1950s, here are nine of the most popular mid-century kitchen remodels and floorplans you might have checked out!
More than 100 years ago, Victorian corsets were practically required for women – to emphasize certain parts of the body, and to minimize others. Here’s a look back to what ladies back then were wearing!
What was vintage ’80s tech like? The Good Guys were a big consumer electronics specialty retailer selling brand-name audio and video gear. See the hottest retro TVs, stereos and more from 1987!
The old Sears Wish Book catalog was perfectly named – it was where kids and adults alike would dream about all the things that Santa (or a special elf) might bring for Christmas. Find out its history here!
Tilting water pitchers were often found on the dining table during the Victorian era. Mounted on a swing pivot, it simplified the task of pouring ice water into cups or glasses, as there was no lifting required.
What did Vintage Target stores look like? Take a look back here at dozens of in-store pictures from the company’s start in 1962 through the end of the 20th century!
What did the stylish, trendsetting women of the late Victorian age wear? Take a look back here at antique women’s clothing from 1890, courtesy of the old Bloomingdale’s and H. O’Neill and Company catalogs.
Take a look back at the latest and greatest toys from 1986 in these pages from the vintage Toys R Us catalogs called the 80s Out of this World Toy Book.
See several sets of authentic Victorian house paint color sample cards, showing how people back in the 1800s decorated their home exteriors!
Vintage accordion folding doors like these were popular – and affordable – home improvements that almost anyone could install. Take a look back!
Whether for a day at the beach or in the pool, these inflatable vintage pool floats and loungers gave people of all ages a new way to enjoy the water.
See dozens of styles of antique jewelry from 100 years ago and more – including gold and silver bracelets, rings, necklaces and other beautiful pieces.
Millions of cute ’70s kitchen accessories like these appeared in homes from all across America back in the day.
Whether wet-look vinyl or fur-look polyester, these vintage ’70s toadstool ottomans & gull-wing chairs were the epitome of budget home style for trend-followers.
Have a look at 126 of the most popular toys from the ’40s that millions of kids found under their Christmas trees back in 1948, courtesy of Santa… or from mom and dad.
Here are just a few of the toys you could find at a Woolworth’s store in the ’50s – the old discount retailer that seemed to sell just about everything!
Look back at all of these talking dolls from the ’60s! Just pull the string – or the ‘Magic Ring’ – and you never know what these toys will say next!
If you already own a 1960s house, are thinking about buying one, or just want to see how new suburban homes were designed back in the Kennedy era, check out these vintage ’60s home plans!
Check out this 60s & 70s bell-bottoms inspo from the decades that started it all. You might not even believe this fashion era really happened if it weren’t for the photo receipts!
Check out these 12 retro basement remodels, including a ranch room with a Western atmosphere, created with cowhide furniture, a totem pole, and a colorful pattern for the floor copied from a Navajo blanket.
Holly Hobbie was the old-fashioned girl dressed in calico with lace-up boots and an enormous sunbonnet who appeared on everything from curtains to clothing.
