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."

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!

"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)

Full-Blown Skirts, Impudent Bows, Neat Checks - Simplicity Patterns - 1952

Perfect day-in-the-city dress in a sophisticated soft sheer with full skirt and sleeves. Simplicity Printed Pattern 3848. Sizes 12 to 20. 35¢. Size 14 requires 5 3/8 yards of 35" fabric. Perfect day-in-the-country dress in neat checks. Simplicity Printed Pattern 3851. Sizes 12 to 20. 35¢. Size 14 requires 4 5/8 yards of 35" checked fabric, 3/8 yard of 35" fabric for trim.

Full-blown skirt and great big, impudent bow. made in the kind of checks you see coming. Simplicity Printed Pattern 3850. Sizes 12 to 20. 35¢. Size 14 requires 5 1/4 yards of 35" fabric. Cool and uncluttered little summer dress. Simplicity Printed Pattern 3857. Sizes 11 to 18. 35¢. Size 13 requires 4 1/4 yards of 35" lengthwise-striped fabric, 1/4 yard of 35" fabric for collar. Horizontal stripes above vertical stripes, Simplicity Printed Pattern 3844. Sizes 12 to 20. 35¢. Size 14 requires 3 3/4 yards of 35" lengthwise-striped fabric, 3/4 yard of 35" fabric for trim.
(This is a repost from Feb 2010)

Kestos Brassiere Vest -"...supplies the discreet restraint that every dancer needs." - 1932

"...the result would be perfection."
(This a repeat post from December 2009)

Butterick lowers the cost of patterns to 10¢, 15¢, 20¢ - 1905

"Butterick makes announcement of one of the most radical moves in the history of paper patterns". In 1905 they lowered the prices!

Looking at Good Looking Men - Esquire 1968

If you think the gals had to work at looking good in the sixties just think what the guys had to go through. They had to find the "innest" thing in boxers, decide between the Water Buffalo Astro Thongs or the all leather Calais. What do you wear under your lace up swim suit, a foam rubber swim cup or elastic brief? Does your collar have a high flare roll? Do you want your Formal Turtleneck in Maize or TV Blue? And your "tapered hipster swimmers" been syncopated by Bill Miller? But your Ruffled Shirt requires No Ironing!

Paris Fashion - 1955 Spring Lines on Street Corners - Givenchy and Dior

"Spring Lines on Street Corners" from Realities Magazine May 1955
"Four out-of-doors ensembles from the current collections"
Photographs by Sante Forlano

"No 1332," an ensemble by Givenchy with a new formula: a three-quarter coat, sleeveless and boat-necked, in a warm beige tweed, worn over a wool jersey suit in the same shade. The silk umbrella is by Vedrenne.

"Anglomanie:" two pieces that look like three are something to sing about, A long-torsoed dress by Dior in black and white Glen plaid becomes an almost classic suit when its jacket is buttoned up. New points: the longer back of the jacket over the pleated skirt. Worn with a yellow straw beret.

"No 4298:" a wide stand-away collar with its triple-fold bow is the headline news of this natural Glen plaid suit by Givenchy. The collarless three-quarter coat in a darker beige fleece is straight and simple. the cap matches the suit. Her leather bag is by Hermes.

"The A Dress," a pearl for the oyster: a dark gray flannel suit by Dior. The long double-breasted jacket, slit on the side, pyramids over a wide-pleated skirt held out by a petticoat. Hat in white felt.
(Photograph taken in front of Marius restaurant, 9, rue de Bourgogne, Paris)