6.10.2012

Patriotic outfit

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{Photos taken by Julie} 

I've been on quite a 1940s kick lately. The 1940s are my favorite era (specifically 1938-1943), but I have so much 50s it often trumps all the 40s in my wardrobe. It's not only hard to find and expensive, but I'm kind of afraid to wear it all the time because I do live in vintage, and hate to worry about the state of my clothes all day. 

So my solution has been to make some of those desirable items, like day dresses and sweaters from original patterns. Right now I'm knitting a cute short sleeved sweater from 1942, and am hoping I'll be patient enough to make another dress soon (for some reason I'm more patient with knitting for months over sewing for a day). 

I think one of the reasons I love hats so much is because they don't wear down the same way a garment does. I don't fear staining or tearing them, and honestly find them at decent prices at local stores because vintage hats are not nearly as trendy as vintage clothing right now.  

Dress-Handmade by me using a vintage pattern

Jacket-Buffalo Exchange

Hat-Red Light

Purse-Solana Beach Antique Mall

Gloves-Estate Sale

Bracelet-Antique show

Shoes-Courtesy of ModCloth
  
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39 comments:

Jenn-TheFadedDiary.com said...

This look is so darling! I need a hat like that one in my collection!

Butch said...

This would of been a perfect outfit for our Queens Jubilee last week. Love it.

Jade

art deco dame said...

I really wish I had paid attention when it came to sewing cause I always find neat patterns that I can't do much with.Your outfit as always is very well put together!

Sarah Dee said...

I'm so impressed you can sew dresses! That is such a good skill to have! Sewing a dress to preserve it is so loving towards vintage ♥

♥Sarah♥
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

KittyMeow said...

That hat is adorable!
I feel the same about 40's clothes - the are INSANELY expensive here in Aus - if you want good condition you're looking at $400AUD for a dress! Since patterns are cheaper, it's so much easier to make them - and use fabrics that were common in the 40's. Much less stress!
I wish I had your patience for knitting - Never been able to figure it out - would much rather sew something! Hehe :-D

Meg Eileen Carroll said...

a perfect interpretation to the red, blue and white theme of the weekend. that dress you made is lovely, especially the collar. I have been itching to sew a dress lately, (as you said, 49s dresses are expensive, so why not sew?) but haven't had the time with school, so I absolutely can't wait for the winter holidays!

http://meggymoo0.blogspot.com

VintageDanielle said...

You look adorable! Love the patriotic look

Sarah said...

Beautiful. I really love the simplicity of that hat, it's just darling. Do you ever have any problems knitting/sewing with vintage patterns? I find them quite hard to follow, but perhaps that's just because I'm a novice. x

Solanah said...

Peachy Keen, I would have loved that! Seemed like such a fun time for the whole country.

Sarah, I've had some setbacks with vintage sewing patterns (30s ones can be horrible, all those geometric shapes), but knitting I can sit down and figure out. It helps to know the sizing differences in vintage needles, and U.S. and British ones too!

xoxo

Annalise said...

I'm very impressed with your sewing and making of other vintage items to complement your outfits. You always look impecable and it's interesting to know that you make some of your own outfits as well as buying them. Fabulous!!
XOXO

LandGirl1980 said...

Lovely!

Nika Chick said...

I don't want to damage vintage clothes, so that's the main reason for me to sew new clothes using old patterns. Your dress is gorgeous, no matter how old it is. And the hat, of course! Looks so posh.

Charlotte said...

Oh! That jacket is adorable!

xx Charlotte
Tuppence Ha'penny Vintage

Anonymous said...

Excellent hat-pinning! And I love those buttons.

Laurence said...

You are right, hats are less expensive than clothes because they are easier to find in local fle markets. I don't know why only a few vintage lovers wear hats, a hat can change a simple coton dress in an princess outfit. Look at my hat of the week-end: http://lostin1950.blogspot.com/2012/06/bad-side-of-vintage-cars.html
Isn't it lovely?
Only the best hats with amazing flowers and feathers and ... can be expensive, I know some collectors who spent a lot of money but never wear them, what a pity!!!!!

Kristian said...

Sewingseems to require a different mindset than sewing. Plusit is harder to do things all in one day than little bits over along time like you can do with sewing

Love this look though! And am traveling to Portland, so am excited to see some of these shops!

Q's Daydream said...

love! those years are probably my favorite too. though I don't wear them enough. maybe because of my pixie, which is a dumb reason.

vintagevisions27 said...

What a great outfit! How did you do your hair?
I often worry as well about wearing certain vintage items too often. So I agree with you that reproducing them is the best way to go. Plus if you make a dress, jacket, etc yourself you know its going to fit! Which is not always the case with vintage.
-Emily

Unknown said...

I love your sense of style, everything from your gloves to your hair looks so cute here. You made this dress?! Wow, you did a great job with it, I'm so clueless when it comes to anything with a needle and thread. I adore this bag too.


<3Honeysuckelle

Emileigh said...

How adorable! The 1940s are my favorite, too, but I run into the same problems as you! It IS harder to find. I also sew from vintage patterns. Patterns are much cheaper than clothes to find, and if I make the clothing, I have the chance to personalize it and make it exactly how I want!

I love your hat, too! So precious.

Alexandriaweb said...

The jacket is lovely :)

Unknown said...

Such a stunning outfit, you look like you've walked right out of the 1940s, perfect!

Penny Dreadful Vintage said...

I'm addicted to hats too, the one you have on is marvellous. I actually love your red handbag as well, such a handy large size x

Penny Dreadful Vintage

Vivi Loubelle said...

This is such a well-thought out and lovely outfit. You've inspired me to finally go ahead and make a dress out of a vintage pattern! I know what you mean though, I once went out to dinner with friends in a dress from the 1930's and was insanely paranoid the whole night. I hardly think anyone even saw the dress seeing as I had covered myself with layers of napkins, hah!

The Witchery Vintage said...

So beautifulll!! xo

sarah said...

What a PERFECT hat, and I love the dress! You look lovely. I agree with you, It definitely makes more sense to make vintage reproduction dresses for every day wear. While I don't by any means believe in relegating my precious vintage pieces to the back of my closet, it's nice to have some less precious pieces that I can fall back on for days that I just don't feel like worrying about it. And like someone else said, when I make it myself, I can make it exactly how I want it. A pretty good solution, if you ask me!

Witchcrafted Life said...

One can really sense how much your adore the late 30s/40s in posts such this, with your terrifically pretty patriotic hue ensemble, your love of the era just seems to radiate through the photographs and fill all who see them with the same adoration of these stylish years.

♥ Jessica

Renee said...

So cute

Anonymous said...

Beautiful outfit.
I'm completely in love with your large red bag! :)

Elyse said...

I'm loving the collar and buttons on your dress. Very feminine and quirky!

~ Elyse
Secondhand Wonderland

anniina said...

Oh, that fabric is really pretty. I like the dress, it suits you well!

Second Hand Rose said...

I love your outfit, you look gorgeous! Such a beautiful look, I love this era too! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk

Sarah said...

Lovely outfit!

Casey Maura said...

That hat and jacket are divine! I too am going through a bit of a 40s kick and have been whipping up a 40s three piece playsuit from an original pattern. Must be something about the summer...

I had to chuckle that you find you're more patient with knitting than sewing--I am the exact opposite! lol. I can't wait to see your sweater--I just got a stack of 40s/50s knitting booklets and picking up my needles has been tempting lately... ;)

Edelweiss Patterns said...

So cute! I adore the 1940s, and have been thinking about recreating a similar outfit myself lately.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Happy sewing,

Katrina
http://www.edelweisspatterns.com/blog

Anonymous said...

aww i did an awesome post on Bee Smith hats for the jubilee :) GORGEOUS OUTFIT :):)

Tasha said...

Ooh and Peachy Keen said, that totally is a great Jubilee outfit! I just love it. The pinstripes, the shoulders on your jacket, the hat, the red gloves. Love the little chevron effect the bias cut of the skirt makes too!

Look forward to seeing your sweater once you finish!

Anonymous said...

so lovely!kisses from Italy

In The Heyday said...

loving your hair