Class Photo: Linwood Elementary sometime in the 40's

It's time for more yearbook photo inspiration! Last time I was all about Mr. Glenn's 5th grade class from 1973, but this time I'm going all the way back to the early 40s. Sadly, I don't know the exact year or grade of this class, and there doesn't appear to be a teacher at all, either! The only thing I do know for sure is that they went to Linwood Elementary and that the girl in the front row with the leg brace had polio. Her name was Rachel McPherson and she was born in 1933 (which helped me date the photo).

The photo was submitted to a genealogy site under a post entitled "medical conditions and family history", but I thought I'd put my own little spin on it and use it as outfit inspiration.

Since I'm such a sucker for little girls' dresses, I figured I'd start with all the little ladies in the front row. Aren't they all so precious! I'm in love with all the great prints and collars on their dresses. It's interesting to think that this is the style that a lot of labels are creating now. In fact, the polka dot dress reminds me of the one that Annie bought at Zara in New York (which later inspired Carrie to get it, too!). All I can say is, if this is the direction that designers are going, I am tooootally on board.

Next up is the boots! This is actually my favorite thing about the photograph. I love the two-toned boots on the far left, and the fold-down cuffed boots on the far right. Also, the fact that they're all paired with socks is a total bonus in my book. I really want the pair on the far right though!

Finally, we made it to the little stud muffins. I pretty much love everything they're wearing too. I'm on a mad hunt for a blouse just like the one that's second from the left, except I want mine to be in a extra-girlie lilac color. Of course I love the simple stripes, and the fancy getup with the striped collar underneath, too. If I had to call it, my favorite character in this entire photo would have to be the kid on the far left. Doesn't he look like a miniature James Dean or Marlon Brando. ha! Something about that cropped sweater and the big collar that's revealing a little bit of chest hair.

Class Photo: Strawberry Point Elementary 1973-74

I'm not sure how it started, but a few weeks ago I went on an obsessive google search for 50's, 60's, and 70's yearbook photos. At first I was looking for 70's college inspiration, but by the end, I was far more into all the outfits that the kids were wearing. Within a matter of thirty minutes, I had a desktop folder full of vintage yearbook photos! I thought it would be fun to start posting them every now and then, along with commentary on my favorite outfits.

I chose to start with Mr. Glenn's 5th grade class of 1973-74 from Strawberry Point Elementary, mostly because I'm in love with the little girls outfit on the front row.

How perfect is this dress she's wearing! It reminds me so much of something I saw from an independent designer a few seasons back, but I haven't been able to put my finger on it yet. I was thinking Samantha Pleet at first, but somehow that doesn't seem right. Any guesses? 

I think more than the dress, I really liked this girls smile! She looks so happy. The dress is something sort of great too. With the oh-so-obvious 70's print and the white cuffs and collar, I can't help but think of my favorite print designer, Orla Kiely – I have a feeling I'll be mentioning her a lot with these old yearbook photos! It's kind of tough to tell, but it looks like this girl is wearing some tights or pants in a nice rust color too which, in my opinion, is spot on styling for the colors in the dress.

This one doesn't seem so obvious, but surprisingly, Mr. Glenn inspired me a lot too! He's sporting three things that I'm really loving for fall. First up is navy! I'm feeling a little navy-obsessive for the fall – since I'm not too big on black – and I'm still on the lookout for the perfect navy jumper to wear over and over again with all my vintage blouses. Seeing this photo makes me want a pair of navy pants too!

The next love I have here is the brown shoes. That's a given though! I've been a fan of brown accessories ever since I was old enough to pick out my own clothes. Can't you just picture the Chung's with this outfit?

The final inspiration is Mr. Glenn's patterned sweater. Although I'm really into a more Aztec-inspired pattern right now, I could see myself wearing this navy one a whole lot once it gets cold!