1940 Skiing and Cold Weather Fashion

This article from the 2 February 1940 edition of Marie Claire magazine is aptly titled "I do not want to be cold"!  I couldn't agree more!  The question is, what did women in 1940 wear in the snow or very cold weather?  Check out these pages for inspiration for cold weather vintage wear (including hand muffs)!

I particularly like these shoes, so practical yet stylish:

The 15 January 1940 Vogue Magazine also has a special feature on what to wear for the skiing and the snow:

And just as importantly, what to wear under your ski or cold weather clothes:

While I personally don't enjoy or know how to ski (brrr......too cold for me), I do live in a very cold climate.  So it's great to see practical cold-weather 1940 styles!

McCall 3560: The 'Birthday Dress'

Here is my first 1940 McCall project of 2014!  Except it's from 1939! SHOCK! HORROR! hahaha.  Yup, this pattern is nestled amongst 1940 McCall patterns but the copyright date is 1939.  This has happened before (but with a pattern that should have been from 1941 according to the pattern number but was copyrighted in 1940).  This was most likely produced at the end of 1939 and then the release was delayed for 1940.  Despite that, it is happily taking a treasured place among my other 1940 McCall Project makes!

Isn't it beautiful?  I just love the simplicity of the bodice and the fullness of the skirt:

This pattern is featured in the February issue of McCall's Magazine:

 

The magazine describes the pattern as such:

A twelve-gore skirt is a thing of beauty and joy for a long time. The yellow dress has this skirt. It hangs slimly in deep deceiving ripples, but when you move it goes into a lively dance. Neck and shoulder pieces in one. No. 3560.

And here is my version:

I made the dress from a brown viscose fabric, which works beautifully with the drape of the twelve-gored skirt!

I've been wanting to get my hair cut for a while now and there is an amazing vintage salon in Edinburgh called Miss DixieBelle.  So, I made an appointment for my birthday (what better way to celebrate than with a little pampering?)  I always get a cut and style (because Ariana, the stylist does so many amazing vintage hairdos)...I simply cannot resist getting it styled!

The salon has a fun retro vibe.  Check out the leopard print cover-up:

Here is the finished style!  Oh how I LOVE it!  I would love to wear my hair like this every day of the week!!

Right, now back to the dress....which features pleated sleeve caps, a stand-up collar and two zippers (one at the neck back and one on the side):

The back of the dress is very simple but elegant. I left the hemline on this dress a bit longer than I normally do because it fit well with the flare in the skirt.

We took these pictures at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.  There's something about these gardens that make them nice all year 'round (even in January!)

I am very happy with my new dress! I think it will be a fantastic wardrobe staple.  I can also have fun adding accessories to get a pop of colour!

Oh, here goes the dress into a lively dance:

Later that evening, David surprised me by inviting some of my best girlfriends over for cake and wine.  Check out the pirate candles:

Such a lovely day, and a great way to ring in another year!

1940 Dutch Pockets

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on my 'Rabbie Burns' dress post!  Several of you asked about the Dutch pockets.  I'm not really sure how they differ from modern pockets inserted into side seams because I don't think I've ever sewn pockets using a modern pattern..lol.

Here's the diagram from McCall 3641:

Here's the accompanying text:

Seems they were all the rage in 1940!  Here's a photo from my September 1940 Glamour Magazine that shows a dress with Dutch pockets:

So, is it just a fancy name for normal pockets?  I'm hoping those of you who sew regularly with modern patterns can tell me how, if at all, these Dutch pockets differ!

1940 Tartan Inspiration

Tomorrow is Robert Burns' birthday.  Burns is one of Scotland's greatest poets and his birthday is practically a national holiday in Scotland!  I was hoping to finish a dress in time for his birthday but seeing as I only just finished grading the pattern and cutting out the fabric, I might have to finish it for his birthday weekend :-)

Here are some photos that have inspired my 'Rabbie Burns' dress project.  These are all from the Fall 1940 Sears Catalogue:

Here's the pattern I'm working with to create my 'Rabbie Burns' tartan dress:

I'm really hoping I can finish the dress this weekend!  While I won't have it to wear tomorrow night, you can bet I'll be wearing some tartan and reading some Robert Burns poetry!