Wednesday, May 5, 2010

All Hail the Conquering Graduates!

Perhaps because I spent such a good part of my young adult life in university, I always associate this time of year with the excitement and release that comes with the end of the stresstful university/college school year.  Around this time six(!) years ago, the end of the school year was especially liberating for me.  I had just completed my dissertation defense, which meant the end of student life for me for good!  As a little salute to all those finishing up their own academic pursuits, here are some images of fashionable lady graduates from the 1930s Life Magazine.  CONGRATS, Grads!! Side note regarding that last image: how come my university bookstores never sold AWESOME dresses?? Warm up the time machine, cause I am going back to snap em all up.






14 comments:

Courtney said...

I love how demure dresses were back then! You didn't need to show a lot of skin to seem in-style or cute. It's such a flattering look.

Sarah said...

Love the pics!

Anonymous said...

The difference between proper school attire then and what passes for it now is incredible. When you get it warmed up, I'd like to borrow that time machine!

Celia Rose said...

I wish they sold lovely dresses at my university shop, the closest things are the hoodies with the logo on, they can't even compare!

Stefanie Valentine said...

I wish they sold dresses like that full stop! All the ladies look so lovely and classy, unlike the scruffy students of today :)

Starr Crow said...

the last photo just made my day. why can't things be like this anymore!?!?

Anonymous said...

Lovely frocks, and gaa!, 25% off too! Check out this website of Meredeth College, North Carolina's online display of "class dolls"going back to 1902: http://www.meredith.edu/library/archives/dolls/doll_listing.htm. A girl in the graduating class would design a dress for that year's doll, some with stories about how it came to be - so cute.

Leire said...

Those dresses are beautiful! I wish I could have worn one to my graduation! :)

BaronessVonVintage said...

hehe, too true: students today definitely go for sweats and such. Comfortable, yes, but stylish? I recall making an effort to look a bit more put together in uni and people always asked me if I was heading to work after class ;)

The Dreamstress said...

So lovely! I particularly like all the girls in their dance dresses!

The benefits of attending College in San Francisco - a good portion of my class wore vintage and dressed to the nines :-)

Andi B. Goode said...

If there's room in the time machine for me, count me in. ;]
My graduation ceremony was on Tuesday night. I didn't go but it was still on. Haha. I got my certificate, though, and was very disappointed that it didn't look prettier. Oh well.
-Andi x

BaronessVonVintage said...

Congratulations, Andi!

1930s Girls: you find the best links! THANKS!

BaronessVonVintage said...

Dreamstress: that IS lucky....and fabulous!

BaronessVonVintage said...

Side note: I think some of the images of the gals in the top images represent what they wore for Class Day? Here's a definition from Princeton University's website:

The Class Day ceremony is planned and presented by the members of the senior class. Although it varies from year to year, the event traditionally gives seniors an opportunity to acknowledge publicly achievements and contributions of members of the class and University community. The program includes the awarding of various prizes to classmates, student speeches, honorary class member inductions, a review of the class history, and remarks by President