1930's Wardrobe basics

[kamikat]

I'm actually with Miss Sis and Lady Day... the dress is really cute, and I like it a lot, but the first thing I thought is that the peplum length might not be flattering for hips, but I'm not sure if that's a personal issue in fitting or not? [huh] I like the first one the best of the three you posted

Hmm, that's a thought, but the length can be adjusted. I don't have hip issues and find that the right peplum can disguise a full tummy. I was also thinking top would look cute with a wide legged trouser or even some casual jeans. I'll be doing lots of hair next week, so I just might splurge and get a couple.

 

[Miss Sis]

Kamikat, I agree about the peplum. As you say, it can be adjusted to a longer length and still be 30s - there's lots of tunic patterns from the later part of the 30s, although you might not want it as long as that.

If you are good at adjusting patterns then get ones that appeal and do the muslin treatment. Then you can cut down the neckline if you aren't happy with it.

I have to say that I'm far too lazy to do that! I just pick something I shouldn't have to adjust too much apart from sideseams or length.

 

[Lauren]

Oh, duh, sorry. My brain must not have been present when I wrote that Of course lengths can always be adjusted.
BTW, kamikat, I trolled through your lj posts and the stuff you make is really remarkable. Your workmanship is impeccable.

 

[VintageRed]

BTW, kamikat, I trolled through your lj posts and the stuff you make is really remarkable. Your workmanship is impeccable.

I agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly! I love, love, love, LOVE your black dress, Butterick 6946. It's gorgeous. I wish I could find that pattern to suit my bust size.

~D.

 

[kamikat]

Oh, duh, sorry. My brain must not have been present when I wrote that Of course lengths can always be adjusted.
BTW, kamikat, I trolled through your lj posts and the stuff you make is really remarkable. Your workmanship is impeccable.

Wow, thanks! That means alot, coming from you!

 

[kamikat]

I agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly! I love, love, love, LOVE your black dress, Butterick 6946. It's gorgeous. I wish I could find that pattern to suit my bust size.

~D.

That one doesn't fit my bust size either Most of my 50's patterns are 10-12 inches smaller than my bust size. I even have a couple, my favs in fact, that are 16 inches smaller. If you are dedicated to sewing vintage patterns and are larger than a 36, you need to get brave and try grading patterns up.

 

[kamikat]

I got my copy of the Sears book a few days ago. I've spent some time looking through it and I've decided what I like, the uniforms from 1934. The problem is that I haven't seen any patterns for similar dresses.

 

[Lady Day]

My Montgomery Wards winter 1935-36 catalog got here, and along with it, mid 30s goodness.
Here is a sample. The catalog is an odd shape, so I had to scan the pages in halves. Sorry if there is unevenness.

Hats for larger heads.

LD

 

[Lady Day]

There were a lot of pages dedicated to the 'ample' woman with some sizes going as high as 53" bust!

Here are straight sizes.

LD

 

[Lady Day]

Like many have said, the 30s were very event specific. Here are some items listed for specific things.

And some Knitwear!!

There are over 100 page s of items for women in this 700+ page catalog, and that does not include patterns.

Ill try and post some undergarments soon. Im afraid to post the shoes, riots might ensue

LD

 

[kamikat]

I LUV the pajamas! so cute! It's nice to see the larger sizes. The Sear book doesn't have much.

 

[Mary]

These are great Lady Day!

I have a friend that doesn't like the 30's cause she thinks it's only for the anorectic. She should see these. Please post the shoes too!

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

I find this one amusing, given all the brouhaha some time ago over Macy's carrying jackets made with Chinese "raccoon dog" fur, but labeled as something else. This ad doesn't bat an eyelash over it!

Thanks for posting all these, Lady Day! Great stuff.

 

[Mary]

I so want to wear early 30's clothes and plan to have some sewn up by a seamstress. Will you help me decide?! I love the galadresses but I've decides to start with practical workclothes like a suit. I want versetile clothes eventhough the 30's is not the right period for that.

First suits. Would suits have been worn to offices and how do you tell a suit made for "street and sport" from an office suit. Is it the material, the style? I have to train my eye. Maybe you know the perfect early 30's suit.

Or should I make up some dresses instead, would that be more appropriate?
On to blouses. As Sunny pointed out earlier it's very hard to find patterns for blouses from the early 30's. And I have to have some blouses to my skirts. Do you know of any?( In the sears catalog there are a few but only from the mid 30's. )

While I'm at it. How did they mix fabrics in different garments. Did one have a silk blouse and a woolen, tweed skirt or was is rough with rough and fine materials with fine.

M

 

[Mary]

I find this just beautiful. But it looks like a suit for walking not an office suit. But maybe the sleeveless one?!

 

[Mary]

Had a new pattern search on the net but all I ever see is pretty dresses.
So I looked though some photos from old magazines and found some suits. Thought I'd share and maybe get some input.

These are suits for street(I thinkis the English term) I think maybe the middle one would look good in an office.

I like the belted one on the left but it's very outdoorsy.

This is just ingenious!

 

[Mary]

A separate black suitjacket (I'm probably wrong with the terms)

Some very dressy blouses in the corner.

Autumn suits

So neat. I like sets.

 

[Mary]

The right one could work in an office.

Kontor is Swedish for office so these are for sport and office. I suppose you should be quite casual in an office too.

Afternoon dresses it says but it looks like separates.

 

[Mary]

And some more separates. I think it was Sunny who was looking for blouse patterns. I can't find any but I hope these can be an inspiration.

Allright. I'm done. Promise.

 

[MissQueenie]

Knitwear in the 30s

Knit dresses, suits, sweaters, skirts, purses, etc etc etc were very popular in the 30s as well. You can still buy a lot of the vintage pattern books (look for MINERVA pattern books for a good starting point), but the yarns and needles used are teeeeeeny tiny and the patterns are often complex. That being said, some of the designs are gorgeous beyond words. My great grandmother used to knit dresses and suits to sell to ladies in the neighborhood for pin money in the 30s.

Here's a site selling a PDF of a 30s Minerva book for $8.00: http://www.karensvariety.com/CopyPatternBooks/Clothing/Minerva40.htm