Recommended Wardrobe for College Girl

[shindeco]

Mr. Deckard started this thread in another section but it reminded me of a similar list for women I had in one of my etiquette books. I couldn't remember which one so it took me a while to find it (I have quite a few). I've compiled it into list for but if you're interested I could transcribe the whole thing. She has quite a bit to say about colour--and the style of writing is delightful.

This is from

Margery Wilson (1937) The Pocket Book of Etiquette, New York: Pocket Books, Inc.

It was origianlly published in 1937 but my copy is the 11th edition from 1943


1 three-piece suit (skirt, jacket and coat)
1 knitted dress with sweater to match
-[These are mixed and matched to create 4 outfits]
1 extra sweater
2 dresses:
-1 with short skirt
-1 with long skirt (preferably with matching jacket)
1 evening gown
3 blouses:
-1 of lame
-1 of crepe/satin/silk
-1 of linen
2 soft, crushable felt hats
3 pairs of shoes:
-1 pair low-heeled ties
-1 pair of plain, kid pumps
-1 pair of gold evening slippers
Underwear and sleeping garments of lace knit (amount unspecified)
silk dressing gown (wool only if ?¢‚Ǩ?ìyou don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t trust the heating plant of your abode?¢‚Ǩ?)
?¢‚Ǩ?ìIf you are ?¢‚ǨÀúcold-blooded?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ have a little crocheted bed-jacket that takes up little space. And always carry a small hot-water bottle?¢‚Ǩ?

 

[magneto]

Mr. Deckard started this thread in another section but it reminded me of a similar list for women I had in one of my etiquette books. I couldn't remember which one so it took me a while to find it (I have quite a few). I've compiled it into list for but if you're interested I could transcribe the whole thing.
{{SNIP}}

This list is wonderful, thank you! Gold evening slippers for the college gal...oh, the days.
This reminds me of the "Prescriptions for dressing" chapter in Edith Head's The Dress Doctor: definitely worth a look if you like that sort of thing.

 

[VivianRegan]

In this same vein, there's a great book out there that I stumbled upon in a California museum... it's called Fitting In: Four Generations of College Life. It's concerned with campus style from about the 1890s through the 1960s and was produced for the same-named exhibit at the Chicago Historical Society.

It has GREAT original photos and color plates of mannequins from the museum. There's one plate showing a '40s coed mannequin in a three-quarter length Persian-lamb coat with a matching cap and muff (it looks SO chic!) holding a pendant... the combination of nightclub-esque attire and rah-rah team spirit is hilarious.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. They still print it!

http://chicagotogo.org/fitinfourgen.html

I really wish I'd seen this exhibit.

 

[shindeco]

Ah, but with the gold evening slippers...

"If you can afford another evening gown, do try a white one with gold jewelry. A tiara of wrought gold leaves and fingernail polish of gold are not too much to wear to an extremely formal affair--if your dress is handsomely cut but untrimmed. When you tire of your dress as white you can have it dyed later in the season or next year to a brilliant color or stunning black--but test your material first!" (Op. Cit. p. 64)

 

[Matt Deckard]

Good thread... I'm still working out a list for men's business attire.

Lauren should have alot of insight on this subject.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I think most of the ladies would be pretty utilitarian if living the dorm life.

Just some things I would expect the ladies to have off the top of my head.

1 plaid Pendleton jacket -- for utility
3 cardigan sweaters one plaid two solid
5 skirts of various colors and lengths.
1 pair of trousers -- rarely worn if worn at all -- it is the 30's look you are going for
3 dresses -- it's college, and you like going out and dressing up
1 gown -- For the seasonal dances

 

[humblestumble]

Wardrobe staples?

I'm going for the 40s look primarily because I've discovered I really think the ladies dressed lovely back then. I'm up for modernizing it with prints and little things, but what do you think are staples of that era? I guess even of the 30s, because the women probably still had stuff in their closests from then too. I'm also up for 50s suggestions. 40s mostly though. If you could specify the era you're referring to just to clarify so I can know for future reference, I'd appreciate it (if you know it, that is)

I can think of dresses (of course)
and I saw a movie where a lady had a button down t shirt underneath a vest. I want a fedora too, but the only ones I can find (I have barely any dough) are from patterns, or cheapies from Claire's (a teeny store in the mall)

That's all I got so far, guys.

I'm not exactly a historian either.

And by all means, point me to another thread if I missed it and this was discussed.

 

[magneto]

Wardrobe staples...

I think this thread has a good list:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=6276&highlight=wardrobe+staple

In case the link doesn't work, search for the thread title w/the words "1943 recommended wardrobe"

Assuming your daily activities don't involve a uniform or heavy manual labor, I would deviate from the list in recommending more separates for everyday wear (cardigan sweaters and a few jackets in neutral colors, with skirts that can be combined with the sweaters/jackets.)

...Ooops, I didn't notice you're in South Texas! So you probably just need more lightweight blouses or such instead of more (hot) jackets...

 

[Lauren]

My staples for pretty much any era:

-Short sleeve and long sleeve sweater
-Cardigans (maybe matching shells)
-At least one black, one navy, and one brown hat
-the same for purses and gloves (add a pair of white gloves, evening purse, and evening gloves)
-full skirt, narrow skirt (in wool for winter and linen or other lightweight for summer)
-short and long sleeve blouse (cotton for everyday, rayon for fun or fancier, and silk only if you can afford it or for special occasions *rayon gives the same impression)
-Suit (jacket and matching skirt)
-rain coat
-wool overcoat
-seamed stockings
-garter belt
-flannel full slip
-regular full and half slips
-day dress
-afternoon dress (or cocktail dress)
-evening dress
-House dress or apron or overalls
-Trousers
-Pajamas or nightgown

 

[humblestumble]

wow, thanks guys! I'll treasure this list

 

[swinggal]

You also add these to your list:

- high waisted wide-legged pants (I have around 8 pairs inc denim)
- short and long sleeved shirts with puffy sleeves at the shoulder
- head scarves
- tortise-shell (original or repro) sun glasses (round is good)
- A-line skirts
- cut on the bias dresses (specially for 30s rep)
- wedgies
- saddle shoes
- argyle vests
- several snoods (casual and formal)
- blouses with batwing (or 'Crawford') sleeves
- nipped waist jackets
- some vintage brooches, earings, rings,
- flowers and bows for the hair
- high waisted bermuda shorts

 

[Etienne]

Along the same line, I have a question...I found 3 or 4 dresses recently in a shop near me that are all vintage 40's and in my size. They are great styles and great colors and in really good condition. I am wondering if the prices are decent: they range from $70 to $120. Could someone tell me if that sounds about right? I have never purchased vintage dresses before but since finding this site, I have been scouting for them. Thanks!

 

[humblestumble]

that sounds about right to me, but I haven't bought vintage clothes before. I just know to expect them to be expensive, and that actually sounds decent to me.

 

[Mrs. Foss]

Vintage prices

Ouch! I dont' know where you live or if you are a difficult size or shape to fit, but that sounds pretty high to me. I have two clothsets stuffed full of vintage and I'm usually not interested in paying more than $40 for a dress. I have a few fine rare specimines that I have payed that much for, but almost everything I've gotten for less.

Then again, I understand your position. When I first started buying vintage clothing I felt like every piece was my last chance and I just had to have it. I bought some pieces that really didn't fit that well because they were so beautiful and I wasn't sure that I'd ever be able to find anything that did fit. Now it's easier to pass buy items that aren't really such a deal.

My husband won't pay more than $10 for a tie, but over time we have amassed a great collection of vintage ties that didn't cost a fortune. I've found a 30's dress in a box full of table cloths at a flea market, and a really great hat and bags of stockings in a junk box marked "everything $1". I guess you have to choose either to spend the money and have instant gratification, or spend the time hunting around for treasures for less.

Good Luck!

~Mrs. Foss

Along the same line, I have a question...I found 3 or 4 dresses recently in a shop near me that are all vintage 40's and in my size. They are great styles and great colors and in really good condition. I am wondering if the prices are decent: they range from $70 to $120. Could someone tell me if that sounds about right? I have never purchased vintage dresses before but since finding this site, I have been scouting for them. Thanks!

 

[mysterygal]

*still learning here* what's a snood?
I'm glad she asked the question for staples because I was wondering the same myself....thanx gals!

 

[Vanessa]

Snoods are the most wonderful hair accessory ever. (Well, in my opinion)

They were used to keep hair in curlers for the day for an evening 'do, or to keep hair from catching in machinery or just as a quick cover-all for those not so great hair days.

You can pick them up at local beauty supply stores for a couple dollars or less in a rainbow of colors to suit what you're wearing.

 

[Lauren]

Etienne, that sounds about right for the LA area. It really depends on three factors:
1) Size
2) Condition
3) Label of a known designer

If it's a smallish dress, in good condition with no label, I'd say it's not worth it. If it's a larger dress in good condition, I'd say go for it. Whether it has a well known label or not, it's rare.

mysterygal, a snood is the crocheted thing they wore on the back of their hair to keep it in place. In the 40's these became very decorative for evening wear, or casual for daywear.

Here's a link for a free pattern for that snood:
http://www.sol.co.uk/c/cbacon/freebiesenglish.htm

 

[mysterygal]

Thanks for the info

 

[humblestumble]

Snoods are the most wonderful hair accessory ever. (Well, in my opinion)

They were used to keep hair in curlers for the day for an evening 'do, or to keep hair from catching in machinery or just as a quick cover-all for those not so great hair days.

You can pick them up at local beauty supply stores for a couple dollars or less in a rainbow of colors to suit what you're wearing.

Agreed! But I didnt know I could buy them at a beauty store... hmm Must check this out!

 

[Etienne]

As far as those vintage dresses go, they have no sizes written anywhere but I am anywhere from a size 8 to a size 12 (in new clothes) depending upon the garment. My biggest problem is that I am very full busted and a lot of things fit everywhere but the top--so the cut of the garment makes a lot of difference. I remember that one of them has the name Lili in the label but there's another part of the name and I don't recall it (Lili Anne or Lilli Ann maybe? i don't know...) It is very hard to find ANY clothes (old or new) that give me a proportioned appearance. Suits tend to work best but sometimes a dress is such a nice thing to wear! I just didn't know if the prices were ridiculous or not. They'll only do a 10% reduction, nothing more...I appreciate your insights!