posts tagged ‘1940s’
chilly weather inspiration
Hello everyone! How was your weekend? It’s good to be back in the blogging world–I missed you all and writing posts quite a bit! I didn’t get as many projects done as I had hoped (mostly due to my slightly unrealistic expectations about how much I can accomplish in a 24 hour period!), but I did end up having some time to just refocus on the why of my creative processes. It was wonderfully refreshing to be able to gain a bit of perspective about why I had been feeling a bit apathetic in the creative/projects department lately. I also was able to get some planning done on my fall sewing list! But more about that a bit later… I’m just excited to returning to blogging this week–I have a bunch of new ideas for posts and such. Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and emails throughout the week–knowing that I was missed was rather sweet!
So for this week’s scans, I have a smattering of coats from 1944. I know–it’s far too warm and early to even really start thinking about such things, but I decided to participate in Gertie’s Lady Grey Jacket sew along, and have been scoping out ideas for my version of the Lady Grey pattern. So of course I flipped open the Sears catalog to take a peek for inspiration! I think what I love most are some of the lovely colors that coats were available in–the light blue is especially catching my eye! Hope you enjoy looking through these as much as I did!
I love these topper style jackets.
Check out some of the details on these, like trapunto quilting.
post link
email me del.icio.us digg stumbleupon
Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 11 lovely thoughts
fall inspiration from 1945
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!
post link
email me del.icio.us digg stumbleupon
Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 14 lovely thoughts
shoes! glorious shoes!
I’m back to subject you to some more scans from that 1944 catalog this morning! (Are you getting bored of these yet? I admit, when I tend to be excited about something, I go a little overboard… lol.) This time it’s the thing that makes my heart go pitter-patter: shoes! I’m not always a huge fan of 40s shoe styles; some just aren’t flattering to my legs. But there are many styles that I’d still love to own if they were still available. Of course, modern reproduction companies like Remix make it mighty easy to have those perfect 40s shoes! I’m still drooling over (and saving my pennies for!) a pair of Rita bow-pumps. One day they’ll be mine (definitely going on my Christmas wishlist. Now just to decide on a color…)! Enjoy this post!
I like the pair at the top right best, which were available in two different heel heights! They don’t really offer that sort of variety very often any more. I dare say I’d opt for the higher ones, even back in 1944–although 2-5/8″ high isn’t terribly tall compared to some of the shoes in my closet! (I tend to be in the 4″ to 5″ range…)
Spectator wedges!!!
I really love the ankle strap sandals (top right)–so cute!
Of course, what shoe post would be complete without stockings? I’m a bit of a hedonist when it comes to wearing stockings and usually ditch them except for occasions that call for it and the coldest months. But I have a few pairs of vintage stockings that a lovely reader sent me last year that I’m dying to break out and wear–once the weather cools down! I rather love how 40s artists idealized the model’s legs in these drawings; mostly because I have muscular calves too! lol.
post link
email me del.icio.us digg stumbleupon
Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 20 lovely thoughts
fashion in film: laura
I’ve talked about my love of Gene Tierney before, and since I haven’t highlighted any 1940s fashion films, I thought this would be a good time to gush more over Gene and one of my favorite films: Laura. Bonnie Cashin designed the costumes for this 1944 film, and her sense of easy-going style is reflected in Gene’s outfits. Rather than overly glamorize the star (who was quite stunning and didn’t really need glitzy costumes!) as many films of the era had a tendency towards, the designer stayed within the limits of what could have plausibly been worn by any well-heeled, fashionable young woman of the era. Looking at these outfits, you can see the sportswear influence that Cashin became increasingly known for, while still keeping within the silhouette acceptable at the time. This is one of those films that I’ve idolized for years and continue to scheme from time to time about recreating various dresses or outfits! I hope you’ll enjoy looking through these… (As always, click images for a larger view!)
[ Check out the impeccable bias trim on this suit--it's subtle, but adds a higher end feel to the garment because it's such a fiddly detail to execute perfectly! ]
[ The skirt and knit top that is worn with the suit jacket above. I love the fitted jersey with buttons up the back--and the bias trim is echoed here on the shoulders and neckline. Wouldn't this be a neat variation on the plain ol' tee? ]
[ An array of beautiful knits that Gene wears at the beginning montage. The first outfit is a matched cardigan and skirt set, while the second is a chunkier cardigan and pony skin (!) skirt. Talk about wild fashion on the latter one... I love the chunky bracelet and belt though. ]
[ A glamorous, Grecian inspired evening gown. It's deceptively simple, in that it lacks a lot of surface decoration, but the genius is in the intricate draping. Note the large sparkly brooch on the left shoulder; that's a great way to add some sparkle to an otherwise simple neckline! ]
[ I love this floppy hat that Gene sports! Somewhat unusual to the period (structured hats tended to be more popular), but it frames Gene's face well and would be an easy style to reproduce today. ]
[ I love this striped jacket to bits--look at all the different directions the stripes are cut to create a rather dynamic jacket. Gene's pageboy inspired hairstyle is very nice too! ]
[ Another floppy brimmed hat, this time with a classic trench coat. Note the stitching on the brim of the hat. ]
[ A sporty pants ensemble: this is probably the outfit that is tempting me most right now to try and make! Again, the patterned fabric is cut in various directions to show off bias piecing on the blouse. I love the waist tie detail too! ]
[ Another striped jacket that goes with lounging pants. The hairstyle is so lovely! ]
[ An unstructured skirt and blouse set; another unusual look for the period (although other designers certainly were playing with the idea of less structure, it just wasn't as mainstream). The long scarf-wrap drapes around the neckline to make it suitable for streetwear. ]
[ One of my favorite dresses; a back buttoned street length garment with pleats at the shoulder, extended shoulders forming sleeves, and a shaped belt. The belt has some sort of embellishment too; simple but fitting with the elegance of the piece. Note the bracelet Gene is wearing--it's a floral cuff design that is very similar to a lot of bracelets I've seen in shops recently. ]
[ A gorgeous, draped front dressing gown worn in the final scene. I love the floral applique on the left front--very pretty! ]
post link
email me del.icio.us digg stumbleupon
Posted to: 1940s, film fashion, style inspiration. | 24 lovely thoughts
sew it yourself!
[ polka dot fabric! ]
Continuing on with the 1944 Sears catalog, this week it’s scans of sewing material and patterns you could mail order back in the 40s! Judging from these pages, you could not only order some lovely patterns, but fabric I would covet now! I ran some of the prices per yard for material through an inflation calculator, just to see what the “amazing” 1944 prices would cost in today’s dollar. Surprisingly, it’s pretty close to what one can pay now for material! For instance, rayon faille crepe in 1944 cost $0.86. In today’s dollar that’s about $10.66. Most rayon crepes I’ve spotted cost between $10 and $18, depending on the quality. Or how about a rayon-wool blend gabardine at $2.37/yd. in 1944? It works out to $29.38 with inflation, which is pretty on-par for what you see in finer fabric shops for a wool blend! Putting the costs in these terms, I’m wondering how much credence the argument I hear often that sewing “was cheaper” in earlier decades. While it may have been a bit more affordable overall (and certainly supplies were easier to find!), was it really that much more affordable? That is something that could be interesting to research further! (Although today is neither the time nor place… I don’t have enough brain power right now. lol.)
[ click for a larger view. ]
post link
email me del.icio.us digg stumbleupon
Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 15 lovely thoughts
Next Entries ยป