How to look fabulous in 1951 - go French!

The gal who really wanted to wow them in 1951 could get a cue from this July, 15th les Bonnes Soirees magazine. Some 'Fresh' dresses to sew and then a few separates to travel with on your holiday. But when you are back in town they let you know which designer has the gowns and accessories you need. 

Stout Women May Wear Draped Skirts

From McCall's Magazine, July 1913.
"The graceful model, illustrated on a woman of full figure, will convince the most skeptical that women of avoirdupois need not shun drapery."

Jewels of the Sea - McCall's Magazine - 1956

Rose Marie Reid from the Hourglass Collection with "Helmets by Rex"!

Stout Women May Wear Draped Skirts

"The graceful model, illustrated on a woman of full figure, will convince the most skeptical that women of avoirdupois need not shun drapery."

(As always, click twice to see all the details)

Hurrah For The Fourth - To be "sung with vim and force" - 1913

"Give a cheer for the nation dear"

What a small town Fourth of July Celebration should be - 1913

"What shall we do with the Fourth of July?"
This is part of a larger article by Zona Gale where she derides the "destructive" ways of celebration and instead offers this positive approach. She was a very interesting woman...and I bet she had some wonderful Fourth of July celebrations!

McCall's Magazine - July, 1913

There is lots of good stuff in this July 1913 issue of McCall's magazine. This Cover was drawn by Gene Pressler, who went on to do some other amazing work, but could anything be more charming than this?
Stick around, there's lots more to share.

La Familia - July 1943 -Patterns of "Family"

Lots of Yoke action going on here...

"A large number of patterns that adapt easily to all Thai, ages and occasions, can be purchased for the modest price of $ 1.25 and $ 1.50, mailed free of postage and deposited at home. Visit or order to "BOOKS AND MAGAZINES, S. A., situated in the Rue des Arts No. 31, sending the amount along with the request, because we do not ship by C. O. D. or refund."

La Familia - July 1943 - Lingerie and Neck

"Very varied the embroidery that adorn the garments illustrated in these pages: there are embroidered Richelieu, the last knot point and point festoons. The thread runs Richelieu white mercerized moderately thick, and the pieces are embroidered linen threading the needle with two strands of thin wire. The game was neck and cuffs made of cloth of white linen or pique, and the combination and skirt with shiny silk material or opaque, to withstand the frequent washings without deteriorating too much, these garments can be made in yellow straw, salmon, apricot , white or green blue Nile."

"The neck has the petals of a flower about to Feston petite and center of them, past and leaves of stem point, circle, the past, and stems on the verge of stem between the figures seen Richelieu flanges. The edge point ends with festoons. The fist is executed with the same design of the neck and embroidering as explained at the beginning of the paragraph.
The combination is decorated with small bows distributed in the legs of pants and top center. The bonds are embroidered in one thread pitch, which can be: blue, pink or white orchid, the last straight or diagonal stitches. The cordes of pants and Natalie end with rippling Scallop Stitch in contrasting color, or the same shade of ties. When embroidery is finished, trim excess fabric from the waves.
The skirt is embroidered with flowers and drawing numerous circles and groups foIlage. All circles, the last royal blue, the petals of daisies, a loop point pale yellow with orange center knot point, stems, ready to stalk and leaves a green loop point.
These three pictures are taken directly from one of the supplements of the magazine, where they are drawn to size."

La Familia - July 1943 - Sport Style Models

These seem designed to give you an hourglass figure...and don't miss those hats!

"To leave in the morning adjusting the three models of dresses that are made in fancy fabrics, combined with smooth material. One of them is complemented by a color coat and dress the same fabric. The slopes are wide and trim the simplest, since only bonds can be seen in the neck and waist, sets of buttons and creases."

A Lovely Oasis...a 1931 Summer Enchanted Isle

From the cover of Needlecraft Magazine, the July issue, 1931. The artist is Georgiana Brown Harbeson.

"WITHOUT question, no more artistic or beautiful magazine-cover has ever been seen than that by Georgiana Brown Harbeson which Needlecraft presents this month. We are all proud of it, as we feel we have a perfect right to be; and we are sure every one of our readers will be equally gratified, and glad to show it to her friends. Because it is so novel, so alluringly quaint and withal so simple, notwithstanding its gorgeousness, that no one can resist the charm of it.

Lovely as it is, however, the reproduction scarcely does full credit to the original, worked in soft, bright wools. As will be noted, the stitches are such as we have always been familiar with, and there is not a great variety; it is the placing or arrangement of them, with the artistic combination of colors and shades of color, that produces so marvelous a result. There is bewitchment in the very undertaking; and having once entered upon it, the creative urge is bound to seek expression.

Mrs. Harbeson names her needle-picture "Summer"; and it is certainly a vivid representation of the year's most royal season. One of our co-workers suggests that it be christened "The Enchanted Isle," which seems also a very fitting title. Let the choice be your own; the picture, whatever the designation, is sure to give the utmost pleasure both in the making and the having."

Step In Style - Cute Shoes from 1947!

"Now that summers here again you'll want shoes for fun and shoes for sun, shoes for dancing and romancing-shoes to bring the spotlight to your feet.

Sandals for the summer are as popular as ever. Wedgies, flats, platform, ankle straps, high, high heels, cutout vamps, and two toned shoes are all in vogue. And you'll find them in colors to match any dress in your wardrobe from gray to brilliant hue, from beige to radiant red.

Materials are new, too! You'll find cool looking nylon mesh shoes, softer leather and better quality suede shoes, Irish linens and gaily printed cottons, and satin for evening.

The new shoes do something for you!"

"Peasant Surprise" - A Slack Suit from Betty Co-Ed of Hollywood - 1947

"A TWO-PIECE suit! Boxy bolero jacket and matching slacks with detachable suspenders ... both trimmed with colorful peasant embroidery. Smoothly tailored to fit perfectly and flatter your figure!"

La Donna - Italian Fashion Magazine - 1952 Part 9 - Last Group!

These are the final images from this wonderful magazine. I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have!

"On the left, the blouse in two tissues and two colors: white linon, profile neck and knots in poplin striped white and blue. Facing page, from left to right, top to bottom: cotton and Scottish cap equal; tashi square-buttoned, blue poplin, slight curl to the back, the flap can be buttoned to a change dummy; vertical lines, pocket on the bias , lapels in a horizontal direction, the formula without-sleeves and very closed to the neck, bright squares, the same formula with open neck and raised; blusotto with slits on the sides and pocket square; of Zephyr stripes: the fabric and lively note most important of camicettine."

"For the very young: in spades white gown printed with black velvet ribbon tied at the waist. Below: chintz dress robes in pink on white linen shorts."

"One reason fantasy about classic costume fabric elastic bra and node nylon. The big-bag very practical bag made of hemp rust and white striped shouldered (OCH)."

"La Boutique: laminate brocade skirt with embroidery of small pearls and white organza blouse for the summer evening. On the right, De Givenchy: buttoned shawl of Jersey in shape."

"Embers: the evening gown do this summer and very light, very rich, long ankle, steam transparent fabric. This small polka dot organza blacks with big lump in life leaning back, the neck scarf softly framed her shoulders bare."

Ending this with that lovely gown makes it all worth while!

La Donna - Italian Fashion Magazine - 1952 Part 8

These are pretty fabulous...they make todays clothes look so boring!

"The dressing it deep neckline and bare shoulders may also be taken with a shirt with long sleeves and high neck and reversible, that gives a completely different tone to the collection. This Henry a la Pensee brought two different elastic black belt."

"Marucelli-Boutique: organza blouse with rich yellow striped black sleeve attachment very low."
"The chintz fabric and especially and exclusively devoted to holidays. This two-piece dress and detachable and interchangeable, same skirt or shorts blacks (Bessie Becker)."

"Italian fashion in New York"
"Vanna (left): shantung suit with gridded knot in organza and below at night with white nylon skirt panels curled. Right Venetians white skirt to bodice, blouse, rust and white checked jacket and blacks."

"These clothes were presented to the Fair in New York, "Italy Today". Participated in the event of Italian fashion (Fercioni, Marucelli, Tizzoni, Vanna and Venice, Milan, Antonelli, Carosa, Fontana, Gabriella and Schuberth, of Rome) and four fur (Matti, Pellegrini, Rivella and Viscardi). Each house has presented 10 models, 100 in all, marched daily from 28 May to 12 June. Elegant and exceptional in the audience who attended the fashion shows were noted Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Arden, the famous TV actor Renzo Cesana, alongside the biggest names in the business world and the guidelines of the most elegant fashion magazines, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour , Vogue, eccetera."

La Donna - Italian Fashion Magazine - 1952 Part 8

Fashion summer and stay in the city.

"Pirovano: ivory polka dot silk voile blacks; wealth and gasket on the reasons behind a window, neckline, profiles of black satin."

"Corosa: pink linen dress with profiles blacks that mark because of his tunic. Curiel: fabric embroidered in white on a blue ground, pattern-jumper draped, hints of life high."
"Simonetta Visconti: white checked dress grays and blacks profiles yellow and below-the-neck jumper sweater organza. Fontana: white lines and yellow framed by yellow borders."

"Heim: 1924 in style with a round neckline and low waist straps together apparel below in dancing girl on a blue peacock shantung completed by the navy jacket with white starched collar."

"Paquin: dress elegant urban style crepe pink light marks blacks. The neckline and embellished and framed by the deep reasons of cross-folds, the spindle tight skirt opens on the lower back."


I know these translations leave much to be desired, but I love "spindle tight skirt"!

La Donna - Italian Fashion Magazine - 1952 Part 7

These are some wonderful looks to wear all summer in Italy!

"Arano Boutique (right), dressed as a holiday poplin printed shawl-scarf over her bare shoulders, and the same shawl can also serve as a hairstyle. Graziella Rizzi (rightmost) sleeved linen chemises and profiles of cotton mesh pockets are on the grounds of fashionable dresses of cloth is to be the last public holiday collections. These motifs are included as a high elastic mesh belt or corset-like bodice with yoke, can be dyed in whole or in contrasting color: blue or red on white, turquoise or light brown on the back."

"Labi (above): white checkered dress and blacks treated in the striped skirt, scarf straps to frame the deep neckline, to the right, in suit-suit jacket, combined with printed poplin."

"Nini Formenti (above), large reversible double skirt with striped edges in contrasting color, and tint the reverse untita edge all'orlatura; carries over very short costume alone (middle). Lucisport (right), white striped dress and black skirt panels, high-necked and sleeveless bodice."

"Formenti (left), hemp apron dress-pink. Lucisport (below), dress-costume evening poplin with high flying curled garnish with flowers from an application of straw."

La Donna - Italian Fashion Magazine - 1952 Part 7

"Guillermaz. An elegant complement (below): soft and light blue crepe with satin polka dot profiles, the tunic dress and straight, with square neckline, sleeveless organza profiled. In the center, dressed in polka dot poplin skirt with panels because of pockets that cross-basque detached draped the bodice. On the right, together Sangallo black evening dress with bare shoulders profilin knotted black velvet, even the back of the neck and wrists are attached to the jacket of velvet. Broderie anglaise and black velvet reasons are widely used in fashion this summer, also on the sea and the beach."

"Pina and Tina (above), low-cut dress with a spade on the apron skirt profile moderately large, on the facing page the same formula-neck dress with straps made of embroidered fabric type Sangallo whose tone is even more acute by the romantic motif passanastro velvet. Fabric and color remain the dominant motifs of the season, often the only ones that make the same model in a dress for day or evening. The "evening" of summer, it should be stressed, and almost always "short", dealt with simply very attuned to the holidays."

"Miricae (middle), dress straw in two colors: straw fabrics for suits and jackets are very fashionable at the contract for the holidays 1952, at the top, a black linen dress with white applications, further to the right, a large blusone dissolved profiles embroidered worn over narrow pants blacks to Corser. Cavallo (right), dressed in white linen with black net top edges overlapping. The network, like fisherman, often applied with intentions a bit 'quirky and fun to the holidays."

La Donna - Italian Fashion Magazine - 1952 Part 6

Here we go again with some horrid translations, but fabulous fashions...look closely!

"Popline contract in blue (above) with a collar, lapels and sleeves placket with large paintings. The placket which extends to bottom following the line of the contract svasta"

"The cardigan in soft summer evening sandwiches with big blue buttons, black velvet."

"Marucelli, yellow gabardine jacket style sports trousers with blacks."

"Venetians: jacket and blue shirt under a purple treated plisse, green trousers."

"Marucelli-Boutique: I live in spades with white risers knotted tassel necklace; high balzettine board."

"Biki combines cotton faille in a blue evening dress do. Below, blue polka dot cotton, pleated restrained by red edges smooth."

"Biki (above): two pieces in spades with white stitching embroidered MATELASSE Jais. Poplin skirt red red-born abbot on hips, blue and white blouse, belt, elastic."

La Donna - Italian Fashion Magazine - 1952 Part 5

"Gray, white, black and very little orange."

"Gray, white, black and orange are some slight note the colors of this type of printing used by Emilio Pucci in two pieces with strapless bodice and the jacket of the page next trousers blacks."

"Allegro style sports trousers blusotto"

"The jacket-door blusotto cotton printed as a reason for drawing the name of its author: 'Emilio'."

"... yellow trousers Irene Galitzine, blouse in blue green and red."

"Vacation real peasant skirt"

"Marucelli-Boutique: chintz skirt in a black, blouse Popline. Dealt with padded pockets seams as the high edge of the skirt are split off and joined at the waist. Emilio Popline in bright red with white piping, to the fastening to Russia. Blusotto and pants lined with white edges inverted the reasons for the new tab buttoned straps and pants."

And aren't those fabulous shoes?