more springtime inspiration
[ "teenage" fashions from 1947. ]
Not to whine and pout too much (because I know we don’t really have it that bad), but it’s still cold here and I’m starting to wonder if spring will ever start! lol. It doesn’t help that I’ve been torturing myself by looking at all my spring and summer vintage magazines and drooling over the adorable pinafore dresses (next on my sewing list, by the way…), cute buttoned shorts, off-the-shoulder peasant blouses, and peep-toe sandals. All the fabric I’ve bought recently is decidedly warm weather appropriate, and even one of the projects I have in the works (30s slacks) are made from linen. Decidedly not suited to the weather right now. So… rather than suffer alone with my ongoing warm weather imaginings, I decided to share. (Aren’t I generous? lol.)
[ more adorable 1947 dresses for the teen set! ]
These are labeled “teen” fashions, but heck, I’d take any of them! The ruffled playsuit (top) is particularly adorable (did I mention yet I’m gearing up to make a 40s pinafore dress? Yep, a bit obsessed right now!).
[ misses' skirts from 1947. ]
Skirts with pockets are a must in any wardrobe, imho. I have several skirts that I sadly did not make with pockets, and each time I wear them, I end up awkwardly attempting to shove stuff into the non-existent pockets! So lesson learned: try and make more skirts with more pockets. lol. I actually need to make a few new skirts (on the drawing board right now) for this year. Some of my favorites are starting to get a bit worn out…
[ pretty blouses from 1947. ]
Blouses; something I am also working on adding more of to my closet. Do you see a trend emerging with the off-the-shoulder tops? Hmm… I’m definitely feeling a bit more daring this year with my summer clothes (as “daring” as these are… I know I am decidedly behind the times. lol!). In the past, summertime was my least favorite season because it meant baring more than I was comfortable with. I think perhaps I’ve finally found a happy medium in late 30s and 40s summer styles. I am just not a short-shorts and tshirt kinda gal…
Alright, I’ll stop… lol. Go make myself another cup of tea to help warm up! Hope you all are having a lovely Wednesday!
Posted on February 17th, 2010 to vintage inspiration.
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the post-valentine’s day dress »19 lovely thoughts to “more springtime inspiration”
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Erika says:
February 17th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Casey, you are not alone. Everything I’m planning on sewing/knitting is spring too, and it snowed yesterday! I really like that square neck dress.
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Lauren says:
February 17th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Casey, trust me. *I* understand. It may not be as cold down here as it is up north, but hey, it’s not supposed to be! I’m completely running out of work appropriate, cold weather clothing. I find myself rotating between the same three outfits. I just keep thinking that SURELY it will warm up soon! If not I’m going to have to start adding to my winter wardrobe (which always seems like such a waste of money down here). At least we know that spring will come here before it hits most of the rest of the country. We shouldn’t have to wait too much longer now.
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Amy says:
February 17th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Oh, I love all of these, so sweet! You cracked me up trying to shove things in pockets that weren’t there.:) Now you’ve found a fix. Can’t to wait to see what you make. I am soooo ready for spring. It’s my favorite season.
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Andrea says:
February 17th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Well, you are a good deal younger than I am so naturally I am also not a short, shorter, invisible shorts/skirt type. The longer and wider a skirt is, the more coolness it gives in hot weather. And I cannot wait to make these.
But what I wanted to share with you is that since I was a girl in my early teens I could not stand the winter, hated it downright. And every year the day after my birthday in January I tried to bring the spring back. One of my favourite illusions was this one: Being most of the time alone at home in the afternoon I just needed a very cold but sunny day. I put on my Bikini, took some towels, put my feet up the very hot heater and lay down with the face in the sun. Some well chosen Latin music, eyes closed and thinking very hard “beach, sand, holidays, ice cream, green grass, aloha!” After half an hour or so I would go and fill the bathtub to go “swimming” – in my Bikini, of course. It worked.
Today, well, I just try to stay at home most of the time, ignoring the white stuff outside the windows -
Jill says:
February 17th, 2010 at 11:04 am
I’ve got spring fever, too. Great visual inspiration. I’ve got 30s trousers on the very top of my list as well
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Quincy says:
February 17th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Casey, this is torture!!! lol! How lovely everything is! I’m so glad you’re “behind” on fashion cause so am I!!!
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Rosie says:
February 17th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Wow, those are so so so gorgeous! I love the off the shoulder tops with ruffles, so cute!
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Holly says:
February 17th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I’ve been longingly looking through my summer wardrobe as well. I have so many cute new dresses, shorts and playsuits that I’m just dying to wear! I hope our winter doesnt last thru April this year…
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Nancy says:
February 17th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I LOVE the ruffles! I’m hoping if/when my hubby is ready to take dancing classes, I’ll get an opportunity to wear some cute off-the-shoulder things out on dance dates…
Of course, I’ve still got a 1/2 dozen spring/summer dresses I never made last year, so I think I should make those before I buy any more fabric and patterns! LOL
I’m with you, Casey; spring needs to come soon.
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Darla says:
February 17th, 2010 at 11:52 am
I can’t wait for this winter to be over, Texas is terribly cold and windy. My wardrobe and myself are ready for spring! I love the prints, so pretty!
♥Darla
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Jenny-Rose says:
February 17th, 2010 at 11:58 am
That’s right no whining and pouting for you until you’ve had 20+ inches of snow in a week! :>
*sigh* I’m so ready for spring!
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Sally says:
February 17th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Won’t it be fantastic when we can wear styles like this without giving coats a second thought? Sigh …
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Laryssa @ Beautifully Feminine says:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
These are adorable! I’ve featured your 1940′s hair video on my blog. You did such a great job. I’m inspired to go do my hair!
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Christina Thompson says:
February 17th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
It seems as if our parts of the country traded weather this winter. It is unseasonably warm here. Sorry. lol
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Megan says:
February 17th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Thank you for sharing these inspiring images
I am also dreaming about spring fashion of late, and just finished sewing a sundress. I also agree that all skirts should have pockets– if not as a design detail, then they should at least be hidden in the side seams! The pieces I’m craving for spring? Ankle-wrap espadrilles, a nautical tee and high waist pedal pushers. -
Phallin Marie says:
February 17th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Oh how scrumptious, I love the skirt on the right!!!!
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Samantha says:
February 17th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Oh summer. I need you now, after seeing these!
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Lauren says:
February 17th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Oh my gosh, these are fabulous! I think I actually have a couple of these patterns in the stash of doom.
Is this from a pattern book?
Inspiration strikes again! -
Erika says:
February 18th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Last weekend it got a little bit warmer and the sun was out a lot, so my mind seems to have decided (completley on it’s own!) that it’s spring now. Or, as we get up here at mid-March; a thing called spring-winter (just at or over 0 celsius, sunshine, snow still on the ground, but some warmth in the air. Caps and gloves comes off, and it’s glorious). However, it’s changed back into -15 to -20 C again. At least the sun is still there…
Doesn’t change a thing though, my mind and heart has decided that spring is near! =) I’m so planning my summer warderobe right now.
Thank you for all the lovely pictures, a great inspiration – as always!
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!