Jaunty 1930s Dresses with Back Fullness

These dresses from the December 1936 McCall's magazine look thoroughly jaunty. From the front, the bodice, waistline, and hip fit smoothly. But in back, the skirt flaunts its fullness. Who wouldn't love to have one of these back-flared frocks?

Love those hats, too!

Scraps from the Past: 1950s Girl's Shirtwaist Dress in Brown Taffeta

The Pattern: McCall's 4016 from 1957 provides this cute and classic summer shirtwaist dress for a growing girl.

The Scrap: Scraps of shiny taffeta in a warm brown were tucked inside the envelope of this pattern. Can you visualize this dress in this fabric? It would be a party dress for sure!

Scraps from the Past: Sunny Summer Wartime Frock

The pattern: Du Barry 5791 (1944)

I love how the original owner wrote her name on the pattern, and drew an arrow to the version that she sewed. Someone also wrote in very faint pencil vertically next to "This view": "no geathers will bring back" - a somewhat mystifying statement, I can only guess at what was meant. The handwriting is different from the writing in ink, so it may have been someone else.

The scrap: This floral cotton print is just a smidgeon of a scrap that was tucked inside this vintage pattern from the war years. But it is still enough to let us envision this frock in a summery print of blue flowers with pink and green bits. It paints a very pretty and sunny picture!

Seen in a Shop Window: The New Shirtwaist Dresses?

I spotted these shirtdresses in the store window of Anthropologie in downtown Seattle, and was reminded of the classic shirtwaist dresses of the 1940s through the 1980s. These dresses differ by dispensing with the waistline. Both shirtdresses are short and perfect for summer.

This madras shirtdress has a lovely asymmetry in the hemline and a lovely, flowing drape.

This button-pleat shirtdress is formal, demure, and flirty at the same time. The even hemline of this fully-lined cotton dress gives it a tent-like silhouette.

1946 Originator Sketch - Saddle Yokes Provide Smart Details

This Originator sketch features saddle yokes. I first discovered saddle yokes in vintage patterns and I must say that I find them a rather wonderful way to construct a dress or blouse. The saddle yoke combines the sleeve and the yoke into one piece.

This sketch features pleated sleeves with the saddles yokes, which looks very pretty. And the saddle yokes are also one-in-piece with center front bands or panels, with the edges trimmed with saddle stitches. Additional cleverness! I love how the center fronts extend into the skirts of the dresses - very smart details. :)

1930s Shirtwaist Dress

She looks ready to do business in this great shirtwaist dress from 1937. I love the rows of darts at the shoulders, the buttons on the sleeves that match the toggle buttons of the front closing. It's a graceful dress, and I can picture wearing this! Can you?

Scraps from the Past - Sunny Gingham Shirtwaist Dress

The Pattern: Mail Order 9225
It's been a while since I've found a fabric scrap in a pattern! And this slim shirtwaist dress has appeal as both a day dress and an afternoon dress. With its slim skirt, peg-top in-set hip pockets, and vertical tucks framing the front button opening, there's plenty of room for inspiration. :)

The Scrap: A small bit of gingham in a bold aqua - not faded a bit! I can picture the dress in this fabric. :D

Back to School - College Fashion from 1949

Check out this wonderful back-to-school fashion for the college-bound, straight from 1949 and Woman's Day magazine. This gal is starting the school year with a fine collegiate wardrobe of tea-length skirts, snug jackets with weskit points, and fun boxy toppers.

This boxy topper (with a belt or not) has a wind-breaking collar and useful big pockets.  I love that pose. :)

Perfect for all uses - a suit made of a jacket with weskit points and a trouser-pleated skirt in wool.

Here is the same jacket & skirt in cotton velveteen, making the perfect "date suit". Her college date is wearing a suit too. ;)

 

This fabulous, sporty jerkin of bright wool felt  is made by leaving the sleeves out of the boxy topper pattern and adding a martingale belt in back. It makes a great warm addition to layer over sweaters and a wool skirt.

This shirtwaist dress in rayon is a "campus classic" for every day. So demure! Note the flash of color with the handkerchief in the breast pocket - nice touch!

1970s - Cute little day dresses for warm days

Here are three casual shirtwaist dresses from February 1973 and Vogue, looking perfectly delightful and ready for seeing the sights.

While I encourage you to visit my shop Etsy shop, Midvale Cottage for lots of 1970s little dresses, you can find Vogue 2808, illustrated above, on the right, in the following Etsy shop:

• Cloe's Closet

And while you're browsing Etsy, be sure to pick up a 1970s fishnet bag and hemp-wedged espadrilles to complete your 1970s ensemble!

 

Miss Molly Vintage

 

 Young and Ukraine
 

June 1950 - More Dresses!

Step out into a sunny June day in any of these fine dresses from June 1950.

Scraps from the Past: 50s Shirtwaist is Festive in Plaid

This beautiful shirtwaist dress is soft and graceful. Butterick 5346 and the 1950s really could delivery gorgeous style!

Tucked into this particular pattern was this small scrap of soft, thin fabric. Can you visualize the dress in a dreamy swirl of plaid? So festive!