1950s March Fashion - Neutral Tones Carry the Day

The pearly look of pale tones are featured in this collection of spring styles from March 1952!

 Pale beige flannel suit - a collarless neckline, pleated skirt, "domino" closing.

 A beautiful double-breasted coat of white fleece, lined with black silk, worn over a black silk suit.

 A double-breasted white fleece topper over a slim navy dress - perfect to wear spring or summer.

A neat round-collared suit in oatmeal tweed flecked with red and green, and accented with a big wool tassel.

Two Versions of Special Style from 1940 - Jacket with Shortened Sleeves to Show Off Blouse

In 1940, patterns appeared which featured a jacket in 3/4 length with wide hems above a full puffy sleeve. It must have been a new and popular style!

One variation is found here in Simplicity 3406 from 1940. The jacket is cropped, bolero-style, and the blouse is classically structured, with beautiful and feminine frills on both long and short puffy sleeves. The skirt has many gores for wonderful flare:

In contrast, another variation from Vogue in 1940 has a longer, more tailored jacket (with an option for traditional long sleeves), but still with those signature 3/4 sleeves, and a simpler, no-frills blouse with puffy sleeves (long and short). The skirt is similarly simpler, with fine flare and straight princess seams.

 

Each version has a lot going for it - I like them both, but for different reasons. Do you have a favorite?

Resort Fashions 2013 - Swimsuit Retrospective 1945 Swimsuits - East Coast, West Coast

West Coast 1945

"California" suits for 1945 are styled for active swimming. Strictly functional, they have no shoulder straps, and minimum "diaper-style" pants. These suits are the ultimate development of the skintight knitted suits which first appeared in the early 1920s.

East Coast 1945

 These East Coast suits are a bit more dressy and feminine. Made of draped material, they hint at the beginning of regression to ruffles and frills. Many have long detachable skirts. The suits are paired to show each with and without the skirt.