Pattern of the Week: 1930s Ensemble Simply Shines

Although it sold within a week of posting it, I am still going to put the spotlight on this divine 2-piece dress with matching coat from 1936, Simplicity 2215!

Note the superb details:

Dress blouse features a dart-fitted bodice, with notched peak lapel collar, button-accented diagonal front insets with underlap (the underlap is sewn under one side and the other side fastens to it with snaps) that form weskit-style points, and fixed belts that buckle in back.

Dress skirt has slight flare and a top-stitched center front double inverted pleat.

Coat is flared in 3/4 length, with top-stitched center back inverted pleat, diagonal welt pockets, long sleeves softly pleat at shoulders, and a high revers wing collar. Fully lined, of course.

Sigh. First class fashion.

1930s - Glamorous Metallic Two-Piece Evening Dress

Oh, she looks sensational and knows it! This divine two-piece dress of  lamé provides a sculptured look, wrapping the body in waves of elegant shimmer. The matching hat is a high calot, trimmed with kid and an eye-catching whisper of a veil.

A 1939 Pre-War "Sew-Along" Contest

In its October 1939 edition, Life magazine had a story on a pre-war sewing. The war is expanding in the European theater, and although it is still a couple years before the US enters the war, home sewing was encouraged by fabric manufacturers, who offered ready-cut dress lengths (3-1/2 to 4 yards) at an inexpensive price ($1.00!) for the entire length. It was also encouraged by the department stores who sponsored home-sewing contests.

Groups of women met at one another's homes to plan, cut, and fit dresses for the contest.

A dress of taffeta under construction.

 

First prize: a blue velvet dress (cost: $10.42)

 

Second prize: a blue rayon dress (cost $6.09)

 

Fourth prize: Checked bolero suit (cost $6.84)

 

Seventh prize: a wool and satin suit (cost $7.57)

23rd prize: Plaid suit (cost: $9.22)

"Great applause greeted 203-lb. Mrs. Smith for her dress's slimming lines"

Elegant formal dress

Most exotic entry: pantaloon-and-coat

Spotted in a Shop Window - Peplums!

Spotted in the window of Nordstrom's, downtown Seattle, this fabulous Givenchy slim skirt & jacket with flared peplum and front cascading drape has dramatic color contrast:

Also spotted in the window at Nordstroms, is this Dior red hot 2-piece dress with cascading peplum:

Peplums have been popular over the decades, but particularly in the 1940s. Here are a few fabulous vintage styles with peplums.

1950s

 

 1940s

 

 

1930s

Fashion from 1951: Afternoon Dresses North and South

To end our journey through the January 1951 "advanced" fashions from McCall, we conclude with three beautiful afternoon dresses: a flattering jabot dress, a suit-dress that is just right for lots of places, and a versatile "north and south" dress.

McCall 8347

The pretty jabot neckline endures year after year because it is really flattering. No doubt about that. If you are flat-chested, it fills you out. If you need to have a prominent bust obscured a trifle, it will do that, too. And these frilled sleeves are a welcome change from the plain short sleeves, and they are perfect for larger arms. Sizes 12-20, 40, 42. 50 cents.

McCall 8349

A suit-dress that is soft, pretty, and not too suity. Just the thing to wear when you are meeting someone in town for lunch. Just the thing for lots of other places. Long jacketed, slim skirted. Softened by curved yokes and groups of gathers. Slimmed by its deep plunge neck. Make it of silk-and-wool faille if you want something truly special. Sizes 12-20, 40, 42. 65 cents.

McCall 8351

The southern version is the one with the white pique touches, of course. One would make it of gingham or chambray, linen or shantung. The northern version, with a collarless neck and long sleeves, is perfect for wool jersey, or any dress weight woolen. Nothing much to it but lines - beautiful  lines. The skirt is slim enough for style, full enough for comfort. Sizes 10-20. 50 cents.

Fashion from January 1951: Youthful Junior Styles North and South

And  now for a look at a couple of outfits for the junior figure from January 1951 and McCall - a "hurry-up dress for the South" with a pretty scalloped collar, and a versatile North-South date dress. :D

McCall 8355

One of the fastest, easiest, designs you could choose to make! It's a blouse-and-skirt dress, strongly favored by Juniors and designed especially for companion cottons. The skirt in figure A is a lengthwise stripe cut cross-wise - make it with a seamed-on border, or without (as in figure C). Three views, three exciting fabric combinations. Sizes 9-17. 50 cents.

McCall 8354

New and important is the side-flaring peplum. It perks out saucily on either side of a flat smooth center front and center back. Especially flattering for slim-hipped Juniors with not-so-flat tummies. View A, a sunny south design - crisp cotton checks sparked with brisk, white accents. Version B, a north-or-south date dress - just the thing for wool-and-silk faille, heavy crepe. Sizes 9-17. 65 cents.

Fashion from January 1951: A Buttoned Dress and an All-purpose Suit Dress

It's a youthful, buttoned dress and an all-purpose suit-dress from a January 1951 McCall booklet of designer patterns!

McCall 8340

It's the neckline and the gathers in the skirt that give this dress a youthful effect. If you disapprove of the buttoned collar, you can exchange it for a tie collar. This is one design where you can have a high neck and a plunging neckline at the same time. No sleeves, short sleeves, or long sleeves that can be pushed up. Sizes 10-20. 35 cents.

McCall 8342

It's very versatile, this slim dress with the air of a suit. And you can make it up to take care of various needs. What would you like? A wool day timer? An unlined wool suit? Make view B. A dressy five-o'clock costume? Make it of faille or bengalaine, all one fabric. A two-piecer to take south? Make view A in shangtung. Sizes 12-20. 65 cents.