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Exploring how to get a 1930s look on a budget by looking at the 1930s retrospective trend during the 1970s, inspired by Hollywood films

I absolutely love 1930s fashion. At first I thought it would never look good on my short and curvy frame because all the fashion images from the decade feature very tall and narrow silhouettes (the hand-drawn images were not realistically proportionate in the least). After giving a few 30s outfits a try, especially mixing separates,

(Image Source: Bing?) I've been in the mood for the past couple of months to make another 1930's inspired dress. But, with schoo...

1930s fashions were smart and well made. Read lots of information on the styles and find out how to make your own.

In the 1930's fur was very popular in fashion- so were sequins and a long line - and the influence of movie stars on fashion began to grow. Perhaps the glamor was a needed relief from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Or perhaps the popularity of that new medium "the talkies" and the ability to make more complex movies, such as musicals, made dressing up more glamorous and fun. The beautiful gowns of the 1930's are still a fashion influence today on the Red Carpet, but some things like wearing real fur is now out of date. Do you recognize the similarities to today’s fashion?

I love the style and sophistication of 1930s fashion and have amassed a large collection of sewing pattern imagery from the era on Pinterest and thought it would be nice to share some of them here…

Exploring 1930s fashion and my growing obsession with the flutter styled skirts that were very popular during a time of austerity and great innovation.

Fashion illustration of evening dresses from October McCall's Magazine 1935

I absolutely love 1930s fashion. At first I thought it would never look good on my short and curvy frame because all the fashion images from the decade feature very tall and narrow silhouettes (the hand-drawn images were not realistically proportionate in the least). After giving a few 30s outfits a try, especially mixing separates,

Early 1930s skirt pattern for a tailored look. Note the offset button placket on each.

And so ends the seasonal Olympics for street style photographers in Paris! Also known as Fashion Week, it's the time of year when these professional people-watchers jump through hoops to capture the hottest outfits of the City of Light, taking their cues from legends such as the Sartorialist and Bil

The 1920s and 1930s are mostly associated with flapper dresses and Hollywood glamour. During the daytime, dresses were still the primary outfits, but that doesn't mean they were the only thing women wore. I had a few readers ask what kinds of casual '20s clothing or '30s menswear-inspired looks they could wear that involved pants,

The sleek, elegant look was quite a change after the wild fashions of the Roaring 20s. A slim silhouette continued with lower hemlines and diagonal lines.

I've had this skirt for a while but hadn't worn it because I was planning to hem it at knee-length. I wanted it to look like a skirt from the 1940s or the 1970s. But, lately, I've been really into mid-1930s style so I dragged this midi-length skirt out of my closet for an outfit that alludes to a 1930s day look. Now, I don't think I'll ever hem it! After the high hems and low waists of the 1920s, hemlines lowered and waistlines (usually accented with a thin belt) raised back up in the 1930s, creating a look that I think is generally more flattering to an adult woman's figure. As I looked for images from the 30s to illustrate this point, I found that plaid was also popular at the time, making my skirt choice even more appropriate for the look that was my goal. Shoes and sunglasses: Aldo; Skirt: Tutu ; Shirt: INC ; Earrings, dress-clips, belt, and bracelet: vintage I'm not sure why, but fashion magazines are constantly telling short women how to look taller, as if it's a foregone conclusion that we all hate being short. One of the pieces of advice that is repeated over and over again is ... ... never ever wear midi-length skirts. But I have no problem with being and looking short. I think it's cute. Beau finds my stature positively adorable. At least once a day, he comes up and gives me a hug, saying with delight, "You're just little!" Bebe Daniels In the 1920s and 30s, many movie stars were very petite but this never stopped costume designers from putting them in "midi" skirts and dresses for casual, day-wear looks. I'm really not sure when the myth that tall women are more attractive started but it's silly. Being "just little" is just as good as being tall. I mean look at this gal! Isn't she adorable? And do notice her puffed sleeves too. Little puffed sleeves were quite popular in the 30s and I had that in mind when putting together my outfit, though these sleeves aren't as puffed as I'd like. Something like these would be better. But look at the one young woman's sunglasses. Mine aren't exactly as they would have been in the 30s, but they're pretty close. (They're actually more of an early 1990s look, and I wore them thusly here.) I've read that sunglasses only became stylish in the 1930s. Isn't that something? They're such a great way to look cool, it's a wonder it wasn't done earlier. I find that they provide a great contrast with my super white skin, instantly creating the illusion that it is clear and porcelain even when it isn't. Plus, they're darned practical on a super bright day like this one. The light was not particularly flattering, but my back was hurting badly and I was not going to wait around for better lighting. The earrings are authentic to the 1930s. A friend of mine who is in her 70s gave them to me. They were given to her by her auntie, who had worn them in her own youth, so this places them smack in the right period for my own look. They're screw back earrings, which I find a lot of bother, but there are certain earrings that are worth that bother. The dress clips were another exciting addition to my outfit. I'd ordered them on Etsy a few months earlier but the woman who ran the shop had been in an accident and wasn't able to get orders out for quite a while. (She's okay now.) When they arrived, I was pretty happy. I've written about dress clips before, here and here, for example. They're very versatile and were worn a lot in the 1930s and 40s, but could be spotted even later than that. My passion for dress-clips is probably partly spawned by their obscurity. They're hard to find, especially still in a pair, and few people even know what they are. So, naturally, I love them. I'm like that. I like to learn about new things, especially things about which others know little or nothing, and I love the hunt for obscure ephemera from the past. Speaking of obscurity, check out this stylish, possibly lesbian couple, one of whom is sporting dress clips. We don't get to see very many images like these, do we? This couple intrigues me like crazy. They're often posted on LGBT, Pinterest boards because they look like they're in love. Who were they? What is their story? If anyone knows, please do tell me! Though we couldn't call these two exactly chic, they certainly are stylish. They also illustrate another reality of the day: just as with today, the real public was never as thin or as coiffed as those on the silver screen. One of Foncie's Photos Everyday folk never looked like people do in the magazines, but they still enjoyed wearing the fashions of the day, regardless of their age or size. The hemline, the hat, the laced shoes, the thin belt, the dress clips, the brooch: this woman has it all going on and she looks lovely. Older, more ample of bottom, thicker... It's all good, isn't it? Foncie's Photo Take the two older women with their backs to the camera here in 1938. They look good to me. How about you? The images these women were given as the ideal of feminine beauty were just as unrealistic then as they are today. How unrealistic is this illustration? It's insane! Nobody in the history of ever looked like this. Nor would they want to! My God, these women look ten feet tall! Even thin women have more curves than these illustrations. Curvier is lovelier. Foncie's Photo ... little (or big) bellies and all. I will keep explaining this to myself -- and you -- till we all grasp that it really is true. Foncie's Photo Another great staple of the 1930s was the laced shoe, worn with dresses and skirts. Younger women often wore them with small heels, while older women, like the one on the right, wore them flat and comfortable. My maternal grandmother, who was a young woman in the 1930s, wore lace-ups with her skirts till the day she died. If it's good enough for the grandmothers of the world, it's good enough for me. Though my outfit wasn't completely period accurate, I did try to pose for photographs in settings that at least evoked the 1930s. Thus my insistence that Beau included the remnants of the tiles on this shop entrance. Thus my posing here. We do have some of the original tile work in this neighbourhood and I've often posed in front of it. I wish we had more! This tile work isn't original but at least someone made an effort to harmonize it with the rest of the block. So often, that is not the case. I'm happy to see that the new renters of this space are bringing this granite back to its original shine and splendour. This dinner club was not built in the 30s but there is a strong Art Deco influence on its design. Just look at the fonts they chose! Art Deco fonts make me drool.  I just love them! Such glamour! Such glitz! My idea, as I stood in front of the dinner club, was that it was really the 1930s and I was posing in front of my favourite night club, where my Beau and I love to go dancing. Does the illusion work? I thought particularly of The Cotton Club ... ... in the day time, when it would inevitably lose some of its glamour and shine and appear more prosaic ... ... as we all do ...  ... in the light ... ... of real life. Reality and real people are more interesting anyway. Aren't they? (I'm sharing this with Rachel the Hat, Sydney Fashion Hunter, Happiness at Mid Life, Not Dead Yet, and Fashion Should Be Fun.)

THIS IS A PDF SEWING PATTERN FOR PRINTING AT HOME: This PDF is set to print on either US letter size (8-1/2 x 11) sheets or A4 International size paper. A0 (large format) pattern is also included. For accuracy in printing, it is recommended you have the latest version of Adobe Reader. Once purchased, your download will include five download files: 1) A 'read me first' page with downloading help and hints. 2) 8 pages of color directions 3) US Pattern is 33 pages (sheet a has 15 and sheet b has 18 pages) 4) A4 Pattern is 33 pages (sheet a has 15 and sheet b has 18 pages) 5) A0 Large format/print shop pattern - 2 sheets Pattern and directions are in color. Print ONLY the size for your location. Pages need to be taped together, but once assembled, pattern pieces are full sized and ready to use. PLEASE NOTE: The pattern has minimal instruction and no layout diagrams. This PDF features a 1934 replicated sewing pattern sized to fit a 36 inch bust. Ladies dress with square neckline with optional attached collar. Bodice laps and closes on the left side with either buttons or lacing. Long, semi-fitted sleeve, with optional short sleeve having cuff with lacing, both in raglan style. Patch pocket may be omitted, or made with top or side band. Purchased belt and buckle if desired. Advertised in Simplicity Fashion Book February 1934 as a 'Simple To Make - Budget Fashion Model' This Simplicity pattern was originally created by Dec. 30, 1939 and has been re-digitized into it's current format. All content falls under the copyright Vintage Pattern Lending Library 2003, and as such, no portion of this pattern may be photocopied or reproduced by any means without written consent. Our replicated historic patterns are the highest quality available. They include seam allowances, grain lines and updated text for ease of construction. Patterns are reproduced directly from the original source material, with no changes in order to retain the historical accuracy of the pattern. Prior sewing experience and knowledge of working with vintage patterns is recommended. Please note: This is NOT a finished garment and the original documentation and pattern are NOT included. This is a DIGITAL VERSION, you will not receive a paper pattern. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ INSTANT DOWNLOAD: Your purchase will be available for download once payment clears through Etsy. Follow the link in the email sent to you, or click on , then and under your receipt, . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Want the paper version? It's available for purchase here: www.etsy.com/listing/600452724 Please visit us at vpll.org to learn more about the VINTAGE PATTERN LENDING LIBRARY and it's preservation projects.

A photo of actress Joan Bennett in mid 1930's high fashion.

Because of the Wall Street Crash which resulted in the Great Depression, most people were unable to afford luxurious clothing like in the 1920’s. Unless you were rather wealthy, frivolous purchases…

Great mid 30s pattern booklet filled with all sorts of styles from women's, children's, coats, and jackets. A lot of people print out the pages and use them for scrapbooking! the booklet is a total of 16 pages (front cover and back included) and the file size is just over 8 MBs.

lets bring back the 1920's style

Formalwear fashion plate, late 1930s.

10-piece digitally drafted pattern originally by Simplicity for the skirt, jacket and cape-makes me think of costuming from 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow'! Size 20 fits 38" bust, 32" waist, 41" hip. The fabric example in the photos is by a customer and is not for sale. 1/2" seam allowances are given on all edges. All of my patterns are full size on 18-lb translucent bond paper and in stock as I print them on demand. This bond paper is sturdy enough that it doesn't tear like pattern tissue, yet it is light enough to see and cut through easily enough. Patterns are not returnable. Celebrating OVER 20 years of bringing you accurately reproduced and multi-size vintage patterns! See me at www.EvaDress.com for hundreds (yes, HUNDREDS) more! PATTERN NOT IN YOUR SIZE? Upon request, I am happy to furnish an additional schematic showing where to adjust the pattern pieces with instructions on how to re-size the pattern.

I love getting to the Southern Oregon University library and scanning these vintage magazine photos. Here are some lovely dresses from Harper's Bazaar 1936, starting with this beautiful brocade. Harper Bazaar Sept 1st 1936, beautiful and so classy! Would love to see it in color, but most of the magazines really didn't do a lot of color until the 50s and 60s. A great pair of lounging pants, love the painted Koi, Harper Bazaar July 1939. Coat has hand blocked brillant fish on natural pongee, Hawaii. Harper Bazaar July 1939 from Gumps. Love the draping and details on these dresses, Haper Bazaar July 1939. And a few more lovey draping with very petty detail on these dresses, Haper Bazaar July 1939. Haper Bazaar July 1939, I so do not want summer to be over. and would love to wear this dress not only for summer but for other days too, unfortuanally I can't with winter coming. The caption on this photo shoot reads, 'Mrs. John C. Wilson wears striped tie silk, red and white for the dress, green and white for the full little jacket.' Harper Bazaar July 1939 Almost all white print splashed with bright red cherries and bright green leaves, Harper Bazaar 1939. dress at Bergdorf Goodman. Schiaparelli dess from Harper Bazaar July 1939, bleeding hearts on black with fuchsia hearts and yellow wings. Coming up are some photos from Mademoiselle May and June 1952. If you want a sneak peek, they have been posted on my Facebook at Oso Victoria Vintage go to photos to see them, lots of great vintage photos there. Until then....

Exploring how to get a 1930s look on a budget by looking at the 1930s retrospective trend during the 1970s, inspired by Hollywood films

Whereas in the 1920s casual clothes, while made in different materials, had been shaped the same as formal styles, the 1930s saw the development of fashions for sport and leisure that formed a...

Leading authority on 20th Century fashion and design - Charlotte Fiell talks to Glamourdaze. Last year while browsing in the famous Blackwell's bookstore in Oxford I was riveted to one spot and eventually one comfortable