At the beginning of December photos of Hollywood starlets and some of my favourite vintage icons start appearing in my timelines on Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram, posed in truly festive scenes. I love seeing these appear as it gives me loads of ideas for vintage Christmas decorations as well as some beautiful winter outfits. Here are some of my favourites that I have collected this year.
I’m starting with Carole Lombard due to the fact that she is my most favourite of all the Hollywood actresses of this time. She is everything I aspire to be, elegant, glamorous, intelligent, strong, completely nuts and totally unafraid of making a fool of herself. And, of course, she was married to the truly gorgeous Clark Gable.
I love this photo of Lucille Ball. She looks as though she is about to do some real damage with that snowball! And that coat is to die for.
A rather bizarre scene with the fabulous Clara Bow in her skivvies whilst pulling a sack of presents into her igloo(!!) but somehow it does suit her rather quirky personality.
Debbie Reynolds gave up making movies because she didn’t like taking her clothes off but she sure had a fabulous pair of legs back in the day! This is such a cute photo of her and it’s so amazing to think this is the same woman who I remember from The Love Boat and Will & Grace.
How adorable is this photo of Ann Sheridan and Marie Wilson, who appeared in Broadway Musketeers together, from 1938? I’ve seen a couple of others similar to this of the two girls, so it must be from a series of shots.
The first time I heard of Jayne Mansfield was when my best friend had one line in our school’s production of Grease. Her line was “I wish I had breasts like Jayne Mansfield!” and, to this day, this is the only thing I can think about when I hear her name!
Elizabeth Taylor in 1948 at the age of 16. She looks so sweet and innocent in her wooly mittens and beautiful dark green princess coat. Little did the world know, at this time, what a legend she was to become.
The stunning Jean Harlow hanging out next to an oversized candleabra! Note the long tinsel strands rather than tinsel garlands we have today on the tree behind her. This is how you decorate a vintage tree.
Christmas wouldn’t be christmas without a bit of ice-skating and Linda Darnell is certainly suitably dressed for the occasion. I just love that skater dress and matching earmuffs. Who wouldn’t look the part in that outfit?
A young Marilyn Monroe during the 1940s whilst she was still known as Norma Jeane Baker. I love the pictures of her during this time in her life because she looks so natural and very much like the girl next door.
Another of my favourite Hollywood starlets, Rita Hayworth, mainly because she was a redhead, but also because her style of glamour is much more attainable than many of the others. That Mrs Claus dress is seriously gorgeous and I currently have my eye on a faux fur muff very similar to this one on helenmoore.com.
A rather odd photograph of professional swimmer turned actress, Esther Williams, featuring a life sized stuffed deer, some creepy dolls in a Santa sack and what looks like a fur lined bikini. What’s not to love?
Oh, excuse me whilst I just swoon a little! Frank Sinatra, in 1954, looking extremely dapper as he sits in front of a Christmas tree in the film Young At Heart where he plays self-destructive Barney Sloan opposite Doris Day. Thud
And who wouldn’t want to find Elvis Presley underneath the tree on Christmas morning? Or perhaps underneath the mistletoe?!! Either way, he could sing to me all day long and I’d be happy.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Bing Crosby in a Santa suit or at least one viewing of White Christmas snuggled up on the sofa with a glass of mulled wine. And Christmas day wouldn’t be complete without Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Dean Martin blasting out from my record player.
Hooray for Clara Bow! Though that shot of Carole Lombard is so elegant…
I’m very into my Dean Martin Christmas music at the mo. Man had a voice made for log fires and candlelight.
You can’t beat a bit of Dean Martin but on Christmas day it has to be Andy Williams. It’s a long standing tradition in my family which my dad started when we were kids. Now neither me or my brother can get through Christmas day without at least one ditty from Mr Williams!