Companies promoted it. Celebrities touted it. Everyday people paid attention, and then spent hours in the sun, trying to get the perfect suntan.
summer
Brunette Alison and blonde Larisa show off the newest, sexiest ’80s swimsuits for every figure type… yours included. 1986 was time to shine in a swimsuit that makes you look terrific!
See how 50s swimsuits brought ruffles, bright colors and curve-loving cuts to summer fashion, with bold designs from Jantzen, Catalina and Cole of California.
1950s summer clothes brought cool cottons, bold stripes and backyard-ready style to sunny days. Here’s a look back at fun warm-weather fashion.
A traditional Memorial Day celebration is a mix of somber remembrance, family togetherness & fun. We’ve gathered some ideas to help you plan a perfect holiday
If you were a mid-century suburban kid you likely had a tubular metal swing set like one of these! Check out this nostalgia trip back to the backyards of your childhood.
This best ever BBQ sauce from 1973 is bold, easy to make, and better than anything in a bottle. A backyard favorite for hot dogs, burgers and more.
These 60+ vintage patio furniture sets – charming tables, chairs, chaises and more – were as popular in the 1940s through the 1970s as they are now.
Not only is pineapple amazing on its own, it also can be a delicious ingredient in lots of recipes — like this sunburst chicken stir-fry recipe from the 80s.
See how 1960s vacation homes were designed for easy living, affordability and style, from simple A-frames to cozy beach cabins and mid-century ranches.
Explore the transformative world of 1920s clothing, where fashion embraced freedom and modernity, reflecting the dynamic spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
The charm of a New York City summer vacation — the ideal place for a summer resort? — lies in the unrivaled transportation facilities of the great seaport.
Vintage 1940s swimsuits often featured ruching, boy short cuts, and halter straps. This old-fashioned swimwear like modest one-pieces and high waist bikinis had more class than sass.
This recipe for savory crescent chicken squares was a winner at the Pillsbury Bake-Off contest in the ’70s because it was tasty and so easy to make.
Before air conditioning and refrigerators existed, see some of the ways people managed to stay cool in summer during the great New York heat wave of 1911!
Right from the ’50s, here are some classic tips to keep your kitchen cool when it’s hot outside, plus some easy recipes to help you beat the heat.
If you’re bringing dessert to this year’s 4th of July potluck, these easy patriotic desserts have an all-American appeal that everyone will love.
Take a look at these modest old-fashioned swimsuits for men and women, seen on real beachgoers and early movie actresses, with many high-quality and colorized vintage photos!
100 years ago, public swimming pools were vital for summer survival The charm of vintage public swimming pools from the early 1900s transports us back
Want to try out some short 1950s hairstyles, or just are looking to see what they were like? Here, check out more than a dozen authentic retro ‘dos from the 50s!
Check out the wide variety of 70s shoes available for women — as well as 70s-inspired modern options you can buy today!
Summer of Love & the Haight-Ashbury district: The intersection of peace, music & revolution In the beating heart of the mid-60s, the Summer of Love
Backyard decks have become a staple of American architecture for relaxation and socializing. See dozens of different deck designs from the second half of the 20th century here.
These gorgeous vintage in-ground swimming pools go beyond the basic – with unusual shapes, specialty finishes, and other refreshingly retro ideas.
These little vintage plastic wading pools were the perfect size to help introduce babies and children to water fun in the safety of their own shallow kiddie pools!
One distinctive feature of Gen X summers was the jelly shoes 80s fad. They made our feet weep — literally!
This curated collection of vintage photographs invites you to explore the classic charm of screened-in porches, patios, lanais, and pool enclosures from bygone decades.
With their daring cuts and bold designs, 1970s swimwear wasn’t just about catching some sun – it was about making waves.
These cute build-it-yourself 1950s cabins exemplify midcentury architecture and design — in a mini format.
The A-frame house design is a tried and true style, and was especially popular for second homes and vacation cabins in the ’60s. See several retro A-frames here!
As charmingly retro as they seem, small striped outdoor tents (also called palmetto or lawn tents) were nothing new in the 1960s and 1970s — in fact, they have been used for centuries.
These fab retro 60s ice cream flavors may surprise you! You’re about to see a lot of vintage ice cream flavor (and color!) combinations you used to be able to get at the store, but don’t see much today. Take a look!
If you love the mid-century style, or want to re-create that beautiful vintage backyard feel, get 47 of the best old-fashioned patio, deck & porch ideas here for a little retro inspo.
How can you make use of all those fresh summer berries? We looked to the experts of the past to find delicious old-fashioned ways to preserve raspberries so you can enjoy the fruit all year long.
Natural materials like wicker and rattan have an almost magical ability to create a tropical feel year-round, indoors and out. That was certainly the case with this lounge setup, seen here back in the mid-1950s.
This space once looked small and cluttered, but the space was cleared out and completely renovated back in the mid-1950s – and this summery blue & white 50s living room was the end result.
Here are 38 different classic punch recipes to try — none with alcohol as an ingredient. The fruit juices and different varieties of carbonated waters and ginger ales will satisfy the palate, and cool you off in a most refreshing manner.
Thanks to a simple, happy collaboration between a kid and Mother Nature… we have popsicles! Here’s a look back at the frozen treats we’e enjoyed over the decades.
Follow us backward through time, and check out dozens of the old roller skates that were so well-loved in the heyday of roller skating!
Tangy lemon juice, crisp corn flake crumbs and sweetened condensed milk combine in this easy vintage no-cook lemon freeze recipe.
Practical ideas to help you plan small gardens of your own – a quiet, refreshing area close to your house where you can enjoy the plants and flowers you love!
Try these old-fashioned buttermilk coolers with easy recipes that are fast to make, delicious, and a cool alternative to plain fruit juice, soda, punches or milkshakes.
Remember these chocolate desserts made with Oreo crumbs that look like you’re eating straight out of the garden — Dirt pie and dirt cups? Here’s how to make these simple, silly desserts the retro ’90s way.
What were women wearing in 1973? See the trendsetting vintage 1970s dresses, miniskirts, maxi skirts, rompers, A-lines, shifts, empire styles and more!
These gorgeous spring and summer fashions from 1922 show how beautifully-made women’s clothing was back in the 1920s. Take a peek at these full-color images that were published in 1922.
Look back at the experience passengers in the thirties, forties, fifties and sixties could expect when they sailed the high seas in high style on these fabulous old cruise ships.
On the top of one of the taller buildings of the time, the Hotel Majestic’s roof garden was where the elite partied back around the turn of the century.
These inexpensive, stylish clothes and these funky, fun accessories from the ’70s were just perfect for her to wear in the summertime.
Change the look and feel of a room to match the seasons! Here’s vintage living room decor set up three different ways, in true ’60s style.
The sight of a golden lemon suggests ice water, sugar and a straw, in other words: good old-fashioned lemonade recipes. The lemon is the family’s best friend when the sun is sizzling.
Even if you can’t escape to the seashore, serve one or more of these cool and delicious Kahlua drinks at your next party for a taste of the tropics.
Ideas for more than 20 vintage recipes for hot dogs, including Pronto dogs, Frank-roll slices, hotdog boats, hot dog-bacon roll-ups, franks in blankets, Snappy frank-cheese rolls and lots more. Check ’em out!
The artichoke hairstyle is a casual, layered cut, with the layers tanning out, petal fashion, from the center of the crown — or what would be the stem area of the real artichoke.
For the boat, the beach, around the pool, or just a quiet drink on the porch, you’re invited you to try these summer rum drinks! Salud!
Summer parties and entertaining duties never cease — there are always garden fetes, weekends, luncheons and bridge suppers to be planned and executed.
No-sew wrap-and-go fashion from the 80s From a beach cover-up to a party dress, the perennial “pareo” does it all, with just two yards of
