Sorry, Waists Are Shrinking!

The 'Fashion Staff' at Pictorial Review in 1939 warns us of an up-coming crisis! You could choose from these patterns put out by Pictorial Review, but it looks like you had no choice about the fit...you were going to have to suck it in! 

"The full skirt and broad shoulders of the dress above conspire to make your waist look minuscule. The wide band seizing you through the middle dramatizes the contrast twixt wide hemline and tiny waist." Pictorial Review Pattern 9600

"The neck is high, the bodice draped and full, the skirt slim with a full draped panel. The waist is the focal point of the dress; a belt gathers the fabric to as few inches as your anatomy permits." Pictorial Review Pattern 9597

"A dress with swing pleats for action, extremely wide shoulders. Again the tidy, belted waist contrasts boldly with the more ample curves above and below. Not quite an hour-glass figger, but something like." Pictorial Review Pattern 9594

"The new dress that falls with full abandon from a round yoke, exactly like an old fashion shift! A nubbin of a belt clutches all the width of fabric firmly at the waist, giving you a Victorian middle." Pictorial Review Pattern 9604

Probably.

Let's go to a party! Lovely Frocks from 1939

From McCall's Magazine, April 1939.
These were pretty then and pretty now. Don't you wish you had one?
(A repost from May 2009)

Chicago Mail Order Catalog - Spring and Summer 1939 - Part 5 - The Men!

Tops in Style!
First with the Latest!
Sports Sensations of the Year!

Swing and Swank in these Shoes!

Chicago Mail Order Catalog - Spring and Summer 1939 - Part 4 - The Fabrics!

Oh, if these don't inspire you...!
(Remember to click twice to see the details)

Chicago Mail Order Catalog - Spring and Summer 1939 - Part 3

Hats and Shoes!!!!!

Chicago Mail Order Catalog - Spring and Summer 1939 - Part 2

"With or without their Boleros they're charmers!" And who could argue?
Enjoy a few more of these.

And some spectacular slack outfits!

Chicago Mail Order Catalog - Spring and Summer 1939

Oh my goodness...aren't these wonderful? Feel free to pick a favorite, but there will be more this week.

This is a Glamour Girl Dress and No Mistake - McCalls Magazine 1939

"Nice bouncy full skirt"

Be Young-Be Gay-Be Smart

"The smart footwear of America's smartest women."
Not the image you get nowadays from Red Cross Shoes!

"To walk in beauty" is no trick for the girl who is glorified the Gossard way.

"...to give you the tiniest possible waist..."

Let's get ready for summer! 1939

"The change that has come over shirtfrocks is well illustrated..."

Let's go to a party! Lovely Frocks from 1939

She must change her dress and her mood.

"They rate an A+ in style at Smith."

Check out Connie Creations shoes, just what every coed is wearing ...$5.00 everywhere!

Men notice the little things, alas!

It's the dreaded Gap-osis!

Young Figures - Great Dresses from 1939

If you have an hourglass figure (or the right corset!), you should run right out and get these patterns!

Ladies Who Lunch - Afternoon Ensembles from 1939

I'm thinking these are club ladies who meet regularly to better themselves. And heaven forbid you shouldn't show up (and be well dressed), or they'll spend the whole afternoon talking about YOU!

If you're somewhat larger than a sylph. Suggestions from 1939

There are RULES ladies. And if you get it wrong you'll look like a "floozy"!

With slightly mad accomplices....

"...with slightly mad accomplices - beads, bracelets, scarfs, saucy hats and wayward veils - they'll keep you chipper 'til spring!"