And some lovely evening styles, can't forget about those! Where can I find a pattern for that green Hollywood goddess dress? Drool!
I REALLLLLY like these styles below! The dresses with matching jackets are just too awesome for words!! Number 9615 in the bottom right is especially nice this the stripes and matching sash!
I do wish that some of the ladies I see at reenactment/living history events would pay more attention to illustrations like these. With some exceptions of course, most women don't have that "put together" look of the 1930s and 1940s. So often there is something lacking. I like details and pay attention to them, but that's just me. I'm a geek when it comes to historical clothing. :)
So, any favorites? Are you inspired to sew something? I'd love to hear your thoughts!!
Those are drool worthy for sure - thank you for sharing! If you are looking for interesting 30s evening wear patterns, I would recommend a French pattern system called the Éclair Coupe Paris. I have a re printed copy from 1934 and 1936 and they are a lot of fun. The drafting system used to make them can be a pain and they require a lot of drafts but the end result can be marvelous.
ReplyDeleteJennie from theuglydame.blogspot.com
Hi Jennie, I have heard of the French drafting system but have not tried it myself. I've really been enjoying your blog, by the way. :)
Delete-Emily
That is SO awesome!!! I love the matching jacket especially, too. I don't know about reenacts (since I haven't been to any events), but it is difficult to get that completely "put together" look. The details in the things like shoes, stockings, correct undergarments, gloves, jewelry, hat, lipstick... it's a lot of pieces to put together. It makes me wonder if women in the 30s and 40s had "capsule wardrobes" in the sense that they picked similar colored items that would mix and match more to get that put together look without breaking the bank!
ReplyDeleteYou make a excellent point! It can be very hard to create that perfect "put together" because there are so many elements to be considered - hats, shoes, etc. The reenacting world can be very different from the vintage lifestyle world where there is more freedom to mix and match eras and styles. It just makes me a little sad when I see people trying to interpret at living history/educational events wearing vintage-y/retro dresses and huge victory rolls. There is soooo much more out there.
DeleteI think you are very right that women in the 30s and 40s would have mixed and matched to get the most out of their clothing. I don't think people shopped the way we do today, that's for sure.
The first image doesn't quite suit my taste as much, but all of the items in the last three images are lovely! I wish modern people took the time to look entirely put together (me included--it's hard to get that way for modern life when the world around you doesn't take the time either). I have 30s and 40s styles on my list of things I'd love to sew, but I just don't find the time. There's just too many events in other periods for me to sew for! Thanks for sharing these.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Quinn
I'm just the opposite! Lately I've been doing more vintage sewing because I have found more opportunities to wear them (GBVS events!) then my historical clothing. It's been ages since I last wore my 1860s clothing and at this point it's all in sad need of updating.
DeleteThank you for posting these lovely pictures. Something to drool over on a cold sathurday morning here in Holland. Wish I had more time right now for sewing vintage clothes..A lot of regular sewing is waiting... number 9647 is my favourite. Best Joan
ReplyDeleteWow, Holland! Thanks so much for following along, Joan! Glad to have you. :) I really like 9647 too.
Delete-Emily
Just a word or two on the living history - I work an internship at such a place. There is no money for clothes or stuff like that. We depend on what clothes people donate and the free labour of a few elderly ladies who spends 6 hours a month here... There is no historic knowledge in this department even though its such a big part. We are portraying the 1940s and most reenactors are wearing 80s polyester clothing - looking very off. Thats the sad result of trying to clothe 400 volunteers with no money.
ReplyDeleteIts my first, short internship here, I hope to do half a year in 2017 to try and help out.
What I´m saying is that it on some parts could be a lack of funding, not a lack of desire to do better.
Hi there! Thanks so much for your comments. My goodness, 400 volunteers?! That's a big staff! Where is your internship, if you don't mind my asking? You bring up a very valid point. I worked for several years at a living history museum so I can fully understand and appreciate the difficulties in properly clothing a staff and volunteers with little to no funding. The place I worked was an 18th century museum so everything had to be made special. At least with the 1940s some modern clothing can be made to pass. Not so with a much earlier time period.
DeleteMy comments in this post were in no way intended as a slight against anyone. I think about where I was when I first started reenacting and how far I've come. (From 18th century through WWII.) We all have to start somewhere! The living history world is certainly a mixed bag as far as authenticity is concerned. There are some groups/organizations/individuals who take it very seriously and are continuously doing research and upgrading their clothing and gear. My frustration lies, not with these groups or museum staff, but with those that seem to know better but don't, for any number of reasons, do additional research beyond a basic Google search. Not those who want to make improvements but are unable because of funding, it certainly can be an expensive hobby, no doubt about it. Ok, sorry for the rant! Thanks again, glad to have you following along!
-Emily
Ooohh, I can't decide what I love more - the hats or the garments themselves that are depicted here. 50/50 tie it is then. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this immensely pretty late 30s fashion with us, dear Emily.
xoxo ♥ Jessica
I know, they are all so great!
DeleteI love, love, love looking through vintage patterns, pattern catalogs, and anything else with those period illustrations of the fashions. I wish I could just order straight from them!
ReplyDeleteI also am a stickler for accuracy. But I don't think I have been able to nail the put together look yet. It certainly would go faster if budget weren't an issue, but it would probably still take some time for me to get there. I usually have to make some blunders before I get one thing just about perfect.
It is interesting that I just did a post about this kind of thing earlier today which I sure hope the link made it into your inbox! I would love to hear your comments on my post.
Sarah
www.sewcharacteristicallyyou.com/blog
Thank you Sarah! Somehow I missed this comment earlier. I'm going to check out your blog post now.
Delete-Emily
Nice Post
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