A Vintage Style Guide To Midcentury California
By Helene Fallows
From tours of extraordinary modernist homes and vintage shopping to poolside parties and glamorous evening events, it's also a wonderful excuse to embrace mid-century style. And with almost 25 years of experience working with original and reproduction vintage clothing, we've got a few ideas about what to wear and what to pack.
Key Event Highlights
Step inside iconic, preserved private residences designed by legendary architects like Albert Frey, William Krisel, and Richard Neutra.
Shop all things mid-century including inventory from top national dealers specializing in vintage furniture, fine art, decor, and retro jewelry.
Hop on guided bus excursions offering deep historical dives into distinct Palm Springs neighborhoods.
Clink a glass or two at evening cocktail galas, vintage car displays, and lively neighborhood receptions set against classic atomic-era backdrops.
Informative talks led by leading architects, historians, and authors focusing on the preservation of modernist design.
What Should I Wear?
Modernism week is your chance to shine if you love mid-century clothing. Attendees treat the entire desert city like a living retro runway. At Revival vintage we can use our knowledge gathered from dealing with vintage style clothing for almost a quarter of a century to advise how to connect with the Modernism Week crowd while staying comfortable in the desert heat.
While Palm Springs style often brings to mind the later 1950s and 1960s, you certainly don't need a strictly atomic-era wardrobe to join in. Elegant 1940s tailoring and early 1950s silhouettes sit beautifully alongside the city's mid-century aesthetic.
Walking-Friendly Casual
Days spent exploring sun-drenched Palm Springs neighborhoods and stepping inside some of its legendary mid-century properties call for vintage style that looks the part without sacrificing comfort.
For women, breathable cotton fit-and-flare day dresses are an easy choice, or try high-waisted cigarette pants paired with a short-sleeved blouse for a more casual 1950s look. For men, lightweight linen pants teamed with a short-sleeved leisure shirt keep things relaxed, cool, and suitably mid-century.
Comfortable footwear is particularly important when you're spending the day walking, and bear in mind that stiletto heels aren't permitted inside many of the historic homes in order to protect those precious vintage floors. Flat sandals, canvas wedges, or leather loafers are much more practical choices.
Poolside & Patio
Nothing says Palm Springs quite like a little sun-drenched poolside glamour. Think old Hollywood stars escaping to the desert for cocktails, sunshine, and a little well-earned relaxation.
You don't need a swimsuit to embrace the look. For women, a lightweight cotton day dress or full-skirted 1950s style works beautifully for cocktails and socializing around the pool. Add cat-eye sunglasses, a vintage-style purse, and a wide-brimmed sun hat for an easy touch of old Hollywood glamour.
For men, this is the perfect opportunity to bring out a vibrant Hawaiian or tiki-print camp shirt, worn with tailored shorts or lightweight pants. Add a pair of sunglasses and you're ready for cocktail hour.
Evening Galas
When the sun goes down and the desert lights come on, it's time to turn up the glamour.
For women, evening events are an opportunity to showcase your most glamorous vintage dresses, finished with a beautiful purse and jewelry. Don't forget a coordinating cardigan, bolero, or other cover-up for those cooler desert evenings.
For men, classic tailoring fits the bill beautifully. Our Socialite Deliverance Suit, for example, features wide peak lapels, functional cuffs, notch-back high-waisted pants, and cuffed hems, the kind of authentic period detailing that fellow vintage enthusiasts are sure to appreciate.
Add a crisp shirt and vintage-inspired tie, and you're ready for an evening of cocktails beneath the Palm Springs stars.
Pack Like a Modernist Pro
These events are long, especially the one in February, so if you are going for the full duration you are going to need a giant suitcase for all your lovely outfits.
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A hat and sunglasses for daytime tours and relaxing at resorts
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A handheld or neck fan to stir things up
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Spray cooling mist to take temps down a notch
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Cover-ups for cool desert evenings
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A reusable tote for shopping at the Show & Sale
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A small clothes brush or travel steamer to keep everything looking its best
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Refillable water bottle to stay refreshed under the sunbeams
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Band-Aids for too many stone steps A sewing kit for any over-enthusiastic dance-floor mishaps
Many of our Revival and Socialite designs begin with original garments from our vintage archive, with our most faithful reproductions recreating the original patterns and period details. So, surrounded by Palm Springs' beautifully preserved mid-century architecture, you'll feel perfectly at home. Even our lowest-cost standard shipping options reach our American customers within an average of three days so you can be sure they will reach you in plenty of time for final wardrobe tweaks!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to wear full vintage to attend?
It is not required, but it is highly encouraged! Modernism Week is a giant, living retro fashion show. Wearing our archive-patterned pieces is the perfect way to feel like part of the mid-century magic.
Can I wear high heels on Modernism Week home tours?
No, stiletto heels are banned inside the historic homes to protect original vintage floors. Swap them for our comfortable, vintage-style flat sandals, chic loafers, or canvas wedges.
How do I dress vintage in the Palm Springs heat?
Choose breathable, natural fabrics such as our lightweight linen-cotton blend. It keeps you cool under the California sun without losing its crisp, authentic tailoring.
What is the weather like during Modernism Events?
The Main Festival - Feb Average Daytime High: 74°F (23°C) Average Nighttime Low: 46°F (8°C) February offers perfect, comfortable weather for walking tours under the sun. However, the temperature drops dramatically the second the sun slips behind the mountains.
The Modernism Preview - Oct Average Daytime High: 91°F (33°C) Average Nighttime Low: 60°F (16°C) October is still effectively summertime in the desert. It is incredibly hot during the day. Evenings are warm and pleasant, requiring only a light cardigan or bolero.
