Keeping us warm and fashionable in 1934

Keeping us warm and fashionable in 1934, McCall Magazine says we should be 'Squared Off and Buttoned Up" with "Masses of Fur or None at All".
As to collars "A splash of light or bright color right here, does a lot for one's face as well as one's dress".
"Of course you are going to have a shirtwaist dress in wool, aren't you?"
"Winter suits with coats in this length are very important from a style standpoint."
It is the smart thing to do!

Four-o'clock Velvet, Satin Bridge and Wool Chic Frocks - 1934

Only the best for you from McCall Magazine, October 1934.
"Since it is smart to look as chesty as possible..."
"Believe it or not, Paris is putting peep holes in frocks. And it isn't a bit shocking..."
"That's the way of the new ones."

Slit Hemlines, Slashed Backs, Low Necklines - Evening Gowns - 1934

More beauty from McCall's Magazine, October 1934.
"Since ankles and evening slippers are both so pretty, it is too bad not to show them."
"As you see necks are very high or very low."
These are lovely and there is a surprising amount of skin showing...you needed to have confidence to carry these off!

Style and Beauty - McCall's 1934

Are you busy getting your hair done and brushing up on beauty tips? Need to know what you should be wearing? This useful information is brought to you via McCall's Magazine,1934.
We are into October now so I hope you have your Winter Suits..."Smart and so renewing when you become bored with the eternal heavy Winter coat".
And if you are headed to collage "You should have at least one dress with a square collar and one dress with a double collar this winter, just to show that you know what's what".

More 1924 Fashions - Graduation Frocks, Wash Dresses and Clothes for the Younger Generation.

Frocks for Graduation, simple wash dresses and what to put on the children are all addressed in the Good Housekeeping magazine from May, 1924. Remember; "Simplicity should mark the dress for graduation, but the Class Day and Promenade frocks may be more elaborate." (What were Class and Promenade days? And why could they be fancier?)
"Not so many years ago, women who wanted attractive, smart wash dresses had to make them themselves. So it was with children's clothes - only by having them made especially for her could the mother be sure of dainty materials and hand stitchery."
Luckily they go on to explain that you could now find them in shops with well-known trade-marks. So much easier!

In The New York Shops - Fashion and Lingerie Suggestions for 1924

Here we have "Many Suggestions for the Trousseau and Sports Clothes for the Outdoor Girl" from the May, 1924 issue of Good Housekeeping Magazine. There is a focus on "the sports clothes which at this season burst into full bloom as far as cut, coloring and other characteristics go". But it should be noted that "the scarf is delightfully characteristic in red with silver braid, but if one prefers, it may be had in a more conventional old blue and silver braid". But take heart, "in either case the frock is decidedly smart". And that, of course is what we are aiming for.

Then we can't ignore the underthings. "The New York Shops Display Lingerie of Divers Materials and Varied Trimmings".We have charming nightgowns, a costume slip, an envelope chemise, and elaborately embroidered set of drawers, all in "lovely colors".

Bridal Fashions from 1924 - Good Housekeeping

"Bridal Tradition is Embodied in the Picturesque"
How lovely these are, romantic and feminine. Wouldn't these styles be nice see now?

Flapper Era Outfits - 1924 Good Housekeeping

"The summer mode brings soft fabrics, straight lines and bright colors". This Good Housekeeping magazine from May, 1924 tells us "Now that we know the straight silhouette with variations will continue to dominate the mode, a great calm has settled on our souls"
This is also a chance to see what early designers were doing. There is much discussion of the masculine tailoring influence, but there was lots of satin and lace in the evenings. "Fringe is again one of the smart trimmings, but beaded frocks, although still shown more or less in the formal collections, are not quite so popular as they were."

Modes Royal Fabulous Patterns - 1951

This is a single page from a Modes Royale catalog from 1951. Don't I wish I had the rest of this!
The "breathtakingly beautiful" gown would look right at home on any red carpet today. And that two piece dress has the best peplum ever. The "cutaway suit" looks tailored, but also gives such an hourglass shape...good design shows.

As One Girl To Another...More 1940 Kotex Advice

So here are the guidelines you need...what you can and can't do during 'that time of the month'.
Be especially careful to not get a cold!

As One Girl To Another...1940 Kotex Advice

"Things happen fast from eleven to seventeen...". That's right, and if you just talk to your Mother "As One Girl To Another" then some of lives mystery's will be solved. At least they will if you have this helpful pamphlet from Kotex printed in 1940.
But really have things changed so much?

Are Your Legs Straight? - 1905

"So simple you wonder why someone didn't think of it before" They will send you "instructions to make them appear straight, trim and stylish". "Endorsed and used by men of fashion everywhere"!

Van Dresser Fashion Drawing Lessons - 1905

Here's a way to be "fitted for a profession now most profitable". Just complete "fifty interesting and practical lessons" and you'll be prepared to earn money a as fashion illustrator in your own city!
Actually Mr. William T. Van Dresser did some lovely illustrations, including (I assume) the lady in this ad. He did the art for this charming children's book and you can find magazine covers with more lovely ladies. So maybe he was on to something and you could have had a career!

Chesterfields Sundial Dress - 1940

This is the back cover of the May, 1940 issue of The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist magazine. It shows the charming Miss Elaine Shepard in Chesterfield's Sundial Dress. It seems she went on to more important things, but she sure did right by this dress, imagine posing with this massive dress, that also massive hat, the huge bouquet and then smoking a Chesterfield and looking like you enjoy it! A model's life wasn't all glamour.

Mail Order Patterns from The Progressive Farmer - 1940

Here are some of the patterns you could order from The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist in 1940. They range from baby clothes, to practical maternity dresses and even a truly lovely 'graduation frock'. There is an emphasis on cotton because this was basically a farmers magazine and cotton crops were very important, there are several mentions of the need for everyone to have a cotton mattress.
There is speculation that most of the mail order patterns all came from one company, but I don't think we really know. If you have more information please share. Also if anybody knows more about Lillian L. Keller who worked for the Tennessee Extension Service, she seems to have been a clever gal indeed!

The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist - 1940

This is the cover art from the May, 1940 issue of The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist. The artist is Gari Melchers, who you can read more about here.

Aldens Catalog 1956-57 - Slips, Panties and Jayne Mansfield's Pajamas!

There is lots to love here, but it's not everyday we get to see what Jayne Mansfield wore to bed!
(Did you know she spoke five languages, and was a classically trained pianist and violinist?)
(Another 'I'm on vacation' repost from October, 2011)

"Give new ones a ducking before you wear them." - 1932

Aristoc Pure Silk Stockings - They Always Live Longest On Water
Plenty of instructions here on how to care for your stockings, but they were Pure Silk! This is another company that is still with us...and they still make stockings. You can read more here.
(a repost from March, 2010)