Get Ready With Me for School in 1957: The World of Gabis_Vintage and 1950s Fashion
Reliving the Past with Vintage GRWM
If you’ve ever come across the viral content of Gabis_Vintage, you know the magic that happens when fashion history meets modern internet trends. The phrase “The girls that get it GET IT” perfectly sums up the recent explosion of vintage GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos—especially those that transport us back to the 1950s. Thanks to creators and sources like @Smithsonian magazine, a new generation is looking back at classic styles and exploring the strict dress codes and unspoken rules that shaped everyday life for girls in the mid-20th century.
In this post, we dive into:
- How 1950s fashion influenced school life
- The creative ways girls conformed to—and subverted—dress codes
- Why vintage fashion still resonates today
1950s Fashion in the School Hallways
H3: What Did Middle Schoolers Wear in the 1950s?
The 1950s was an era defined by crisp, clean silhouettes and a sense of sartorial order. Being dressed “properly” wasn’t just a matter of trend—it was often a requirement set by schools, parents, and strict social norms.
Typical 1950s school outfit for girls included:
- Full, knee-length skirts (never above the knee at school!)
- Button-down blouses or sweaters—nothing too tight or revealing
- Cardigans for an extra layer of modesty
- Simple, low-heeled shoes or saddle shoes
Hairstyles mattered too! Girls would curl their hair with soft rollers overnight—just like in Gabis_Vintage’s video—and keep jewelry minimal, saving more expressive pieces for after school hours.
Surviving Strict School Dress Codes
Dress codes in the 1950s could be so rigid that even the smallest infraction—like a skirt hemmed a tad too high—meant immediate consequences. As Gabis_Vintage humorously recounts in her viral skit, girls would sometimes:
- Use pins to discreetly raise hem lengths after hours (a secret style rebellion!)
- Avoid bold earrings or bright lipstick at school to comply with “proper” standards
- Save trendy, form-fitting sweaters or pants for weekends only
A classic 1950s school day might look like this:
- Get dressed in a modest slip and skirt.
- Fix hair with rollers or bobby pins.
- Check that skirt hems fell strictly below the knees.
- Double-check outfit for any signs of “rebellion” before mom or the principal noticed!
Vintage Fashion: More Than Just Aesthetic
Why The 1950s Vintage Aesthetic Still Inspires
It’s easy to see why #vintagefashion and #1950sfashion continue trending. There’s a timeless quality to 1950s style—both in the clothes and the cultural rituals around getting dressed. The vintage GRWM movement not only honors the fashion but also celebrates the authenticity, youth culture, and subtle defiance of girls rewriting the “rules” of their era.
Vintage fashion lovers today relate because:
- The nostalgic silhouettes embody a sense of fun and femininity.
- The camaraderie between girls (think: pinning skirts together in bathroom stalls) is enduringly relatable.
- DIY touches and creativity—like rolling hair or customizing outfits—never go out of style.
Bullet Points—How to Channel 1950s Fashion in Your Modern Wardrobe
- Opt for vintage-inspired midi skirts or dresses with fitted waists and full skirts.
- Try overnight curlers or pin curls for retro waves.
- Accessorize with simple pearls, cat-eye glasses, or dainty scarves.
- Embrace cardigans or letterman sweaters for an authentic touch.
- Play with bold but classic colors: Red lipstick, navy, white, and pastel hues.
Conclusion: The Timeless Power of Vintage GRWM
With creators like Gabis_Vintage leading the way, a new generation is falling in love with 1950s fashion and vintage GRWM routines. Whether you’re sneaking a pin into your skirt, styling your hair with old-school flair, or just obsessed with fashion history, the past is always present—waiting for you to channel your own vintage vibe. To put it simply: the girls (and guys!) that get it, really DO get it.
@gabis_vintage The girls that get it GET IT 😤🤬👊(Shoutout @Smithsonian mag for the source available in b | o!) #vintagefashion #fashionhistory #1950sfashion #grwm #grwmforschool #creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound – Gabis_Vintage
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get ready with me for school
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I literally got dress coded
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I’m literally so good in school
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I have never worn a sweater that’s too tight or pants
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my hair has never been too short
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I’ve never worn drop earrings a single time
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now what I do after school is none of your business
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I may on occasion
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use pins to pin my skirt up
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all the girls do it when I’m on school grounds and my skirt is being measured
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it is always below my knee
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see so last week when I went to the soda shop with Billy
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I pin my skirt up okay
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here’s where it gets bad I forgot that I done that
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and I went and I put that skirt on
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and I went to school my teacher flipped his lid
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and I tried to explain him
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Mr Brown
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I don’t usually do this this was a special occasion
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I’m sorry I forgot
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he was having none of it he gave me detention right there
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right then so today I am going to have to sit with the boy in a leather jacket
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so this is what I will be wearing today to have lunch detention
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I hate Hicksville Junior High
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oh get ready with me for school