We’re taking a bit of a break this week from the Sears catalog scans. I’ve been in the mood for autumn the past few days, so I pulled out one of the fall edition magazines from my collection and scanned a handful of things that are making me just even more anxious for cooler weather! lol. Between my sudden predilection this summer for knitting sweaters and scheming over what I want to sew and thrift for the fall, I can’t help but be a teeny bit discontent that there isn’t any end of summer in the immediate future. Oh well–maybe this will spur me to get out of my sewing funk and start working on some new things for my fall wardrobe–for when it is cool! Enjoy these scans from 1945!
I love these easy seperates that are still so classic today! I’m kicking myself for getting rid of a pleated plaid skirt I had… teaches me not to go wild with closet purges!
The fantastic Betty Hutton (wearing a suit designed by Edith Head)! (I love listening to her sing; I think this has to be my favorite of her songs… it always cracks me up!) I really love seeing the colors of the suit–the bright chartreuse suiting is quite fun!
Another plaid skirt (hmm… do I see a trend?!) and saddle shoes! I love how nicely the plaid lines up to match–something that can be a bit tricky when sewing with plaid.
I love the rich, luxurious feel to this dress, the diagonal pleating over the hips, and the rosette at the waist.
Doesn’t this suit and blouse set remind you of something Gene Tierney would have worn in Laura? I really like the shape of the sleeves on the blouse–a nice little change from the usual, straight-hemmed blouse sleeves. By the way, the retail price on the suit in 1945 of $13.95 translates into almost $170 in today’s dollar!
The contrast detail on the dress at left is quite nice–as is the butterfly applique treatment on the upper chest. This would be a fun trick to add to an older dress that needed something to give it a bit of new life.
Take a close look at the dress on the right; the trimming scattered across is something that was quite popular in the mid 40s: nail heads. I’m only assuming these were sort of like the plain metal studs like I used to fix to fabric back in the day with my trusty “Beadazzler” (circa 1992–anyone remember those?). I really like the look and have spotted it on everything from dresses to purses in the mid 40s magazines in my collection!
Hats! Check out the style names: “Swoony” and “Hep Hedy”.
More hats; this time without an amusing style names! I really love the style that sit back from the head and resemble the boater-inspired hat I’m making…
Finally some dresses with interesting color blocking and top stitching (right). They remind me of a lot of the suggestions geared towards the home sewist during the war for re-piecing old dresses to create something new.
I think those nail heads, or studs, or whatever you want to use, are coming back into popularity, at least the shinier versions (which my inner magpie loves). Idk, could be so last season by now. lol.
I’ve been longing for fall, too. The kids are already back in school and its still so hot, seems like school weather should just be cooler.
I think the 40s style skirt must have been in fashion again when I was a teen because I had one with that big decorative pin. I’ve always loved plaids. When I was in school I made a skirt and jacket out of wool plaid. It was lined, too. I loved that outfit.
I had saddle shoes too. Another favorite black and white and later when they were in again brown and tan.
Thanks for reminding me of these things.
Uh, I think I still have the Laura Ashley wrap around in a closet. Do you want that?
Love,
Mom
I love the hats and my Be-Dazzler. I will not lie, I do still own one!
Such a coincidence – I got rid of a pleated woolen plaid skirt a few months ago and regretted it too. Luckily, I had put it in a big bag of things for my Mom to put in a charity bin after my sisters had rifled through it to make sure they didn’t want anything first…. the bag was still at her house, so I rescued my skirt today. Pretty pleased to have it back.
PS: I love that your Mom commented on your blog, and signed it “Love, Mom” – mine does that too occasionally!
I love hats! But all of mine are fall/winter hats and I can’t wait for cooler weather to wear them! Or for some money to buy summer ones. lol.
these are so very beautiful!!!! . . .now if only they were still being sold.
You’ve brought back so many fond memories for me. How many stylish stores we’ve lost, especially stores whose goods were well made and meant to last. One store you may want to investigate is Peck & Peck. They had several stores along Fifth Avenue in NYC, and I spent many a Saturday with my friends oohing and aahing over their clever, classy styles. What a pity that so many youth-oriented stores push having more and more and more rather than fine, finer and finest.
plaid skirts will always be the essence of autumn fashion for me, too. These are just wonderful.
I totally got rid of a plaid skirt, too! I wanted to wear it on an especially cold and rainy day a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t!
fun styles, so ladylike!
I love it! Great post!
Adèle – moltocuriosa.com♥
I just bought a plaid skirt complete with pin and all at the local Goodwill so I’m thrilled to see how it was worn back in my fave era…can’t wait to wear it!
I’m already thinking about fall too and knitting a cardigan with that in mind. (Never mind that it’s been close to or above 90 degrees for weeks now…) I know I’m ready for summer to end when I find myself looking through my vintage knitting pattern booklets! Admittedly my wardrobe doesn’t change that much from summer to fall, I just throw a cardigan on top.