So here’s one that’s been doing the rounds lately, and with good reason! Max Pitruzzella & Annie Trudeau in the International Lindy Hop Championships 2010 ILHC Showcase. I guarantee you’ll want to watch this more than once…

Share

Zoot Suits…they’re a bit like Marmite – either you love them or (like me) you don’t. But ever wondered where they came from? Well this post doesn’t tell you. But if you’re interested in finding out more about the mob, Mexicans and this strange Swing fashion then this amazing post on Queens Of Vintage is well worth a read…

“During the Forties, American teens were at odds with the adults. They went to clubs that served over sized menus and soda and would listen to music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong. They would go dancing in ballrooms, for walks with their sweethearts and took advantage of their time as youths. They danced the jitterbug, wore saddle shoes, over sized skirts, and Zoot Suits along with wide brimmed hats. Our LA correspondent and Zoot Suit lover Vanessa Sandoval takes a look back in time.” Read more…

Share

He’s called Fabrizio and he has a hot military tie tuck

She’s from Florence and she ties a mean headscarf…

We were dancing in some pretty wierd costumes at the Secret Garden Party but nothing as strange as this 1942 Soundie….Jewel McGowan and Dean Collins swinging out in wierd white wigs to a nonsense song by the Kingsmen. You got to love it.

Share

Now I love Youtube, but if you’ve ever fancied owning some classic swing clips the Ithaca Swing Dance have three on their site for download. Grab  yourself Hellzapoppin’, After Seben and Killer Diller all for free. Visit the Ithaca Swing Dance site here.

I spend more time than I’d like to admit on The Satorialist. Maybe it’s too many years as a secret Sex and the City watcher, maybe it’s just the amazing photos, who knows. But as the sunshine dwindles here in London I stumled accross photos from the Jazz-Age Dance Party in New York. If only all picnics were this stylish…

Share

I remember watching this clip of the The Nicholas Brothers as a child and I can’t say I  have EVER got bored of it. Enjoy

Share

If you haven’t seen this footage, I recommend you watch it! It’s the team form Swing Patrol London compteing on the Dance Off stage at this years Secret Garden Party. Swing Dancing in a boxing ring…yes, you heard me.

Share

It’s fair to say that the Andrew’s Sisters can do no wrong in my eyes, which is probably why this clip from the 1941 movie Buck Privates is one of my favourites. The Andrews Sisters perform four songs in this film: You’re a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,  [I'll Be With You When It's] Apple Blossom Time and this one – Bounce Me Brother with a Solid Four. The Lindy hop sequence features Dean Collins, Jewel McGowan, Ray Hirsch and Patty Lacey – which is amazing in itself…but not as amazing as the super daggy Shim Sham by the Andrew Sisters in the middle, I just love those flippy legs and the wierd sideways shuffles! My Shim Sham suddenly feels less comic…. next Swing Pit anyone? See you in the middle

If you love your vintage style then I have a new friend for you. Allow me to introduce Jessica…who likes to think of herself as a bit of  a curator of vintage images.

I am sure you’ll get as lost as I did in this great collection of Vintage Vogue photos on FLickr. The fashion photos are from 1920 through to 1965.  Her collections on Flickr – which include magazines, models, accessories and vintage stars. You could literally lose hours in there! You can also search by decade on her website. Genius.

Something tells me I’ll be spending a lot of time with Jessica….

My Vintage Vogue on Flickr
My Vintage Vogue on Twitter
My Vintage Vouge on Facebook