"The National Money-Saving Style Book" (Spring & Summer 1921)

 The tidy housewife always regards at least two house frocks as necessary garments in her wardrobe, but even the woman that has in the past been indifferent to her appearance in the home while on household duties, favours the loose cool house frock of to-day.  It is easy to slip on, and is certainly not hard to launder. 

"Around the shops", Farmer and Settler, 1 December 1922

 Leaving the realm of high fashion for everyday dress, I've posted a picture of some "house frocks" (also "house dresses") from 1921.  House frocks were mainly worn by housewives and were inexpensive, practical garments for doing chores in. Ideally they were also smart enough to receive visitors in or wear to the local shops.  For heavy, dirty housework an apron or overall would have been worn over the house frock to protect it.

I've copied the descriptions of the dresses from the "National" catalogue below.  Being easy to launder was a selling point, as was the presence of pockets (not nearly as common in more formal garments).

New Idea, Spring 1920

 Happy New Year!

I've been giving some thought as to what I'm going to do with this blog in 2026, and I've decided to try a little experiment.  I'm going to (try to) work my way chronologically, a year each week, through my favourite fashion decades of the twentieth century.  Here, to start with, are some very pretty outfits from Spring 1920.  By the end of the year I hope to get all the way to the 1970s.

So, what was the well dressed woman wearing in 1920?

Peterson's Magazine, December 1859

 For my last post of the year, I give you these fashions from December 1859.

Made in silks and velvet, these garments were clearly out of reach for the majority of women.  The fact that the dress on the right is called a carriage dress implies that not only can the wearer (or her father or husband) afford a carriage, but that it could be spared to take her on social calls around town.

Interestingly, many of the other garments in this magazine are much more practical, geared to the needs of its (presumably) middle-class readership.

FIG. I—WALKING DRESS OF PURPLE SILK—Cloak of black velvet.  The under part is made in the sacque shape, with a very full skirt and sleeves; the upper part of the cloak is in a full pelerine, of nearly the same shape in front that it is behind.  It is trimmed with guipure lace and heavy fringe.  Bonnet of purple velvet, ornamented with black lace, and black and purple plumes.

FIG II—CARRIAGE DRESS OF FAWN COLORED SILK—The skirt is trimmed with the flounces, the lower one much deeper than the four above it.  Body high to the throat, with a round waist, confined by a belt of the same material as the dress.  The sleeves are trimmed with five ruffles, the lower one deeper than the other four.  This very beautiful dress is ornamented on the skirt, body and sleeves with a binding of flame-colored silk.  Bonnet of white silk, with a round face, and trimmed with black and flame-colored plumes, and black end flame-colored ribbon.

"Pin-Me-Up Frocks by Mary Miller" (Modern Priscilla, November 1925)

 "Pin-me-up" frocks!  In 1925 Modern Priscilla offered these two evening dresses to its readers: one for a matron (on the right) and one for her debutante daughter (on the left).

From the description I gather Modern Priscilla provided everything: from the lengths of fabric already cut out to the trimmings.  All that remained was sewing up the seams.  Which sounds like... ready made with extra steps?

I've quoted the text from the magazine in full, because it's so informative.

All That Glitters (PASSAP International, 1970)

 PASSAP was a high quality (engineered in Switzerland!) double bedded knitting machine.  Apparently a bit harder to learn than an ordinary knitting machine, it was famed for the different kinds of stiches and effects it could produce.  In 1970, the year this booklet was published, PASSAP's top model was the Duomatic 80—operated by punch cards!

A knitting machine can't function without patterns, so twice a year PASSAP issued a magazine containing its latest styles.  The cover of this issue features a knitted pantsuit suitable for casual entertaining: very modern and suitable for making up in the latest synthetic yarns.

Smart trouser-suit for ladies

Size: to fit a 34" bust approx.

Materials: 19 oz. brilliant synthetic (or Lurex) yarn, waist elastic, 1 buckle for belt if desired

Pattern: The complete trouser-suit in stocking stitch, purl side outwards.

Cinderella (Vanity Fair, December 1955)

 Stalked by a pantomime dame and wearing a dress made of foil wrapping paper, this cover girl is all set for Christmas.

Cinderella on-her-way-to-the-ball is Andrée Melly.  Her gown. . . a golden tissue of lamé organza, looped into the prettiest princess dress (with its own foundations for a perfect fit).  By Three Kings.

(All right.  Her dress wasn't really made of foil wrapping paper!) 

Andrée Melly was an English actress, probably best remembered for her role in The Brides of Dracula.

Styles of '65: Short Evening Dresses (Skylark Fashions, Summer 1965)

 Long evening dresses certainly existed in the mid-1960s, but they were reserved for the most formal of occasions.  If you wanted to go out to a restaurant, on a date, to a party, for cocktails or dancing at one of the new trendy "discothéques", you would probably choose a knee-length skirt instead.  Below are some very stylish outfits for a night out from Skylark Fashions.

Style 828—SHEER ILLUSION—A floaty, flatering outfit that will lift your spirits right up to Cloud #9!  You're an angel, a blithe spirit, a fairy princess in this charming dress and drifty cape outfit of lace and nylon sheer.  The dress is fully lined with taffeta; the wispy coat has a face-framing lace collar that makes you look as beautiful as you are.  Maize, blue or pink with white lace.