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.

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!

Mid-1950s - Super Separates

Dressed in soft autumn colors, this model is wearing an eye-catching blouse from Advance that  features bold buttoned diagonal interest, and a skirt with light flare. It's a superb combination from 1955, courtesy of Advance patterns 7798 and 7799. :)

Spotted in a Shop Window - Crisp Sunny Ensemble

This sunny ensemble spotted in the shop window of Brooks Brothers has so many classic elements to love - a pert, slim linen skirt, crisp white blouse with wing collar and wing cuffs, and a navy blue sweater that sets everything off to perfection.

Some style is simply timeless!

Scraps from the Past - Elegant, Modern "Pinafore" in Black

The Pattern: Advance 8055
This lovely pattern from 1956 features a modern "pinafore", consisting of a full or slim skirt with detachable bib and shoulder straps, and a handsome blouse with a wing collar and the ever-flattering 3/4-length sleeves. It simply looks like spring and summer fashion to me, and definitely for the afternoon or evening. :D

The Scrap: This scrap was tucked in the pattern. Although they don't show up very well, rows of shiny dots fleck this black rayon scrap. The only pattern pieces cut were the bib, shoulder straps, and waistband. Most likely the original seamstress used a favorite skirt pattern in combination with the bib to create a very special afternoon or evening ensemble. Can you imagine it? :)

In Search of Style: A Dreamy Formal Gown

Prom dresses are in the fashion news right now, so I think this is a great time to post this clipping I found in a pattern that I listed in my shop this week.

Here is what our later 1940s seamstress was looking for, a tremendously dreamy, gorgeous gown. Note the details:

• Full skirt topped with a froth of net
• Snug strapless top with contoured princess seams and front button closing
• A mere shrug over the shoulders with deep cuffs

Here is the pattern that it was tucked into, Butterick 4872 from 1949. It comes amazingly close, don't you think? Check the details and compare:

• Very full skirt is separate from the top. 
• Top is dart-fitted and strapless, with front button closing
• Very cropped bolero that borders on being a shrug, with deep wing cuffs

 

 

Also tucked in the pattern was a special bonus - two receipts! One for 5 yards of net (she definitely wanted that luscious, gauzy froth), and the other for two spools of thread.

 

On the reverse side of the dress clipping is this rather stunning weskit-styled top, with fabulous lacy-crocheted wing collar, matching lacy-crocheted points at the waistline, and 3/4 length sleeves with beautiful wing cuffs. Totally spell-binding style.

 

Early 1950s "Costume Suits" - So Elegant and Chic

Crisp points add flair to these costume suits from 1951. What makes a women's suit a "costume" suit? Primarily, the costume suit is high style - more feminine and dressy than the traditional man-tailored two-piece suit. It can be worn wherever a dress can be worn, yet is suit-worthy for occasions that call for a more business-like appearance.

In both costume suits illustrated below, wing points at collars and cuffs are eye-catching and provide sharp style over a slim sheath. The tunic-length topper & dress ensemble is a fabulous fitted look, while the cropped jacket  with a slim skirt is closer to a traditional suit but has bolder, more dramatic flair.

 

These costume suits provide simply superb 1950s style. And note the hat choices for each suit - they're perfect. :)