1930s - A Delightful Dress for Day or Afternoon

The model in this dress from 1937 has a bit of  a "matronly" look to her. :) The dress has charming details, and looks like it was drawn as if sewn with sheer fabric - now that makes it special!

I love the princess seams, short tie belts at waistline sides, and the saddle yokes with short flutter sleeves that appear to have outseam vents. So graceful!

Back to School: Elementary School Fashion from 1949

We can hardly look at back-to-school fashion for high school and college and NOT look at elementary school! Whether you call it elementary school, grade school, or primary school, the younger set have their fashion tastes too.

A short wool jacket and flared wool skirt team up nicely for school days. The bright cotton flannel blouse mirrors the flannelette that lines the jacket.

This "study and play" dress of cotton has puff sleeves, flared skirt, and peter pan collar.

This velveteen jumper and blouse of batiste make a pretty party ensemble.

A plaid skirt teams up with a sweater for the perfect school outfit. Don't you love her matching socks and hair ribbons?

Mid-1950s Evening Tunic and Slim Skirt - Exotic!

This tunic blouse from 1955 is sewn in pure silk satin for late day or evening. The slim skirt is of velveteen. Très élégant!

What Was Miss Lillian Wearing?

While we have no pictures of Miss Lillian Maguire, we can look at fashion magazines from that decade and get an idea of what she may have been wearing. From a 1907 issue of Ladies Home Journal are these wonderful images of the fashion of the day. Don't you just love the lush and romantic look of the Gibson Girl-era fashion?

Goodness, they do wear a lot of fabric, don't they? I am trying to visualize Miss Lillian as one of these women.... So be watching for them - I'll be adding one of the ladies in the image below to my Miss Lillian's Postcards posts, just to help make our picture of Miss Lillian more...complete. :)

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Refashion a Smart Jacket

As long as we are on the subject of refashioning old clothes into new, this post from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s is very timely! In this article, Ruth describes how to make a new "mannish" jacket for yourself from an old jacket of your husband or brother or dad. She describes two ways to go about it, depending on the size of the old jacket you are working with and the size you need.

Autumn is the perfect time for tailored jackets and blazers, so definitely give this a try!

Mid-50s Refashion - From Robe to Lounging Jacket

Did you ever want a lounging jacket? Here is an inspiring re-fashion story from the 1950s, in which a robe is converted into a elegant lounging jacket. By replacing frayed sections and adding new fabric, you have a smartly re-styled garment!

Before: a "too short, red flannel robe with worn-out elbows"

After: a smartly-styled lounging jacket

The How: The sleeves, collar, and pocket facings of the robe were removed and the sleeve seams opened. Each sleeve was cut in two lengthwise, to use as a pattern for new sleeves. The robe was cut shorter, to finger-tip length. From the cut-off fabric, new sleeves were cut. One yard of black velveteen was used to make new facings (using the old as a cutting guide). New patterns were worked out for the collar and cuffs (diagram below). Patch pockets and a breast patch pocket were made.

Now if I only had enough time to lounge, and in such style!

Back to School: High School Fashion from 1949

In an earlier post, we got to see a vintage collection back-to-school fashion from 1949 and Woman's Day magazine. From that same source, today we get to look at the high school back-to-school fashion!

I am totally in love with this ensemble - love the blouse with its pin tucks and long bishop sleeves. And that skirt with the high waist - wow! 

Here it looks all together - tea length skirt with midriff-high waist, bolero, and blouse.

This is a one-piece dress that combines the skirt and blouse, short puff sleeved version.

Here is a "date dress" in corduroy: Jumper with midriff, blouse with puff sleeves. Do her bangs look too short to you?

 

And here is my favorite position - relaxed and reading a book! She looks so studious. :) This plaid wool skirt and matching stole is perfect with a sweater. Love it!