1940s wardrobe essentials

[Lauren]

Aww... I like it! I think it's mad enough for me to wear. lol

 

[LizzieMaine]

I think that dress would look ridiculous on just about anybody

LD

When I look at that one, why am I overcome by a craving for a bagel with cream cheese?

 

[Lady Day]

I was thinking cupcakes

LD

 

[chanteuseCarey]

a couple of my real life examples of 40s figure in clothes

I am assuming I have an hourglass figure (?), my measurements recently were 42-32-40, now with a bit of stress weight, they are 43-33-42. Here are some pics of my forties vintage. I'm pretty busty even in my 40s quasi pointy shape bra, Playtex comfort strap 18 hr bra, a size 36DD. I have fairly flat hips

First in Vintage Inspired clothes with all the 40s style foundations underneath:

V-I 30s style, modern Ralph Lauren with more low and rounded silouette bra:

forties vintage top, thirties men's tuxedo trousers:

forties jacket, V-I RL true natural waist trousers:

1940s dress, with modern belt added-the belt was "recolorized" to show what it would really look like if the belt was still there (the original belt looks are so I can put the belt as high as it was then. This dress is too long for me, so I'll be having it shortened and a belt made from the cut off piece:

same dress sans belt. I particularily like this pic as its a good example of how wearing the right vintage style foundations really make the clothing look "true to period" when worn:

and a couple more, all vintage 40s:

shoulder pads are munched on this 40s blouse and need a bit of reworking

 

[chanteuseCarey]

The blue dress is probably of a stiffer linen-like or rayon blend fabric. The circle trim may even be of rayon grosgrain ribbon ruched. I have a late 30s hat with a similar trim. This style would look very sweet on our 15yo daughter who has a very lithe figure. She is 5'5" and about 90 some-odd pounds. She's barely a 32" bust, has a 24" waist with 32 or 33" hips. She can do boxy or have lots of 3-dimensional design trim on her vintage clothes.

Exactly! The bigger shoulder pads give definition and make the figure more houglass-like. Meaning the shapes suit an hourglass figure AND those who wish to have a *more* hourglass-shape too.

I agree about the boxy-ness of the blue dress, but that's just one style, exaggerated by the huge pockets in a strange place and buttoning right up to the neck. The shape of the other dress would be much more flattering on most figures.

 

[Hana]

My normal get-up when dressing vintage style is just a simple day dress. Tesco had some last year so I stocked up. My favourite is a black polka dot one. I have a curvy figure so I can't get away with the bigger patterns that were shown in LD's scans.
The dresses look very period when worn with vintage-inspired shoes and a cardigan, I prefer to wear them in odd, statement colours, like mustard yellow.

 

[Lindabelle]

I am assuming I have an hourglass figure (?), my measurements recently were 42-32-40, now with a bit of stress weight, they are 43-33-42. Here are some pics of my forties vintage. I'm pretty busty even in my 40s quasi pointy shape bra, Playtex comfort strap 18 hr bra, a size 36DD. I have fairly flat hips

First in Vintage Inspired clothes with all the 40s style foundations underneath:

and a couple more, all vintage 40s:

I think you look lovely especially in these outfits. It definately makes a difference with the proper undergarments. It made me want to buy the right undergarments. I love your hourglass figure!

 

[Lady Day]

I got my fall 1942-43 Sears catalog in the mail. Here are some scans. You can totally see some 30s elements still, but the fade to clean lined because of the war, and the new 40s look. Because cold weather is coming, I focused on winter wear, coats and such. Ill try and scan more in soon.

*this batch of images is pretty large so you can read the descriptions* sorry to people with small screens.

LD

 

[Lady Day]

Pt 2

LD

 

[Lady Day]

Pt 3

Page 55 I thought was interesting, seeing the older model highlighted like that.

LD

 

[zombi]

love them! thank you so much for scanning these! :eusa_clap

 

[Lady Day]

Pt 4

Thats it for now. Ill make the next batch smaller

LD

 

[Inky]

mmmm, thank you LD! can't wait to see the rest!!

 

[Delia's Gone]

Lady Day, thank you so much for posting those! How wonderful!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Thanks for posting these! This is, I think, my favorite Sears catalog of all time -- especially the air raid warden gal on the cover. There's no reason you can't be perfectly stylish while yelling "PUT THAT LIGHT OUT!"

 

[Lady Day]

I think this is one of my favorites too. I like the challenge of working with restrictions, and seeing how far you can push that. You gotta give them credit on that front as far as fashion.

LD

 

[Lady Day]

I have to say, if you have the below skirt and blouse, you *have* the 40s look.

LD

 

[Lady Day]

One more.

LD

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Why can't you get blouses cut like those any more! I'd kill for a range of long sleeved 40s blouses! Thanks for scanning these LD, they are fab.

 

[AllaboutEve]

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you sooo much LD for all of that, Wow!!!!!