1930s Inspiration

I was planning to show you my newest makeover this week, but the photo shoot didn't happen, so it will have to wait until next week. Meanwhile, here are some 1930s images that are my most recent favorites. I love to browse them for inspiration either for actual garments, or for how to put together a pleasing outfit, or how to accessorize in a period appropriate manner.

1930s designers always made good use of gingham, and this cute summer outfit is no exception! It's a fairly simple dress on the bias, with the only trim the button band and the ruffled sleeves on the matching loose jacket, and the giant bow (probably removable). I love her hat too!

 

Two piece dresses are so versatile, and this simple one would be perfect to also have a matching skirt and top in the other fabrics for a mix-and-match ensemble. It's simple, but trim and easy to wear, and really sets off her cute hat and shoes.

 

This is not a summer outfit, but I seriously need to copy her neckline embellishment on a project of mine sometime! It looks like a simple band of the skirt fabric stuck through a slot in her collar. Just adorable.

 

Another cool summer dress, doing what big prints do best. Loose fitting blouse and sleeves, simple lines. I like the wide belt and her shady hat.

 

This super simple white outfit has a few big dramatic points - the neckline and cuffs on the jacket. Looks like the jabot might actually be on the dress, but either way it has a lot of style for the simple lines of the overall outfit. Perfect to accessorize with more colorful spectator shoes.

 

And I'll end with this lovely snap of 3 happy looking tourists posing on an overlook somewhere. I love real life images because they show real women, not the perfectly posed and proportioned model with every aspect of skin, hair, and outfit perfection.

This one is cute because it shows 3 different styles of dresses, and some simpler hairstyles that I imagine were quick and practical. These ladies probably made their own dresses or bought them off the rack. My favorite is the plaid with the asymmetrical closure, but I also like the ruffled trim on the center one, and the adorable bias cap sleeves on the striped dress. They look like comfortable outfits for hiking and sightseeing, and the ladies (sisters, friends?) look happy to be wherever they are. Definitely makes me think of summer vacations!

Comments

[Trixie]

I love all the unique details in these outfits, and I also love ending with the everyday women. I tend to pay attention to the differences between outfits in advertising versus everyday wear way more in recent fashion than in vintage, and it’s nice to have the same sort of thing pointed out here. All are lovely. My favorite is the ruffled dress on the woman in the middle.