Wartime Fashion in Australian Home Journal Part IV (1943)

In the wider world, 1943 was a year of stalemate: the Axis powers had been halted, but the Allies hadn't started advancing.

In the smaller world of the Australian Home Journal the editorial staff had settled in for the long haul.  They started printing patriotic slogans on their masthead, and inside the magazine their fashion advice mostly boiled down to: save, renovate and improvise.

 

January 1943

From "Left-overs'
I noted one among many snappy dresses at a recent display on which had obviously been contrived mostly from "left-overs" and the effect was stunning.
Yoke and sleeves were in contrast to the rest of the dress, and where there was not sufficient material to complete the skirt part, a wide band was added of the yoke and sleeve material.  For a school frock it had the look of a pinafore dress, but it you would look at more times than one because of its artistry, combined with the economical use of material, that would otherwise go to waste.  Of course adopting this idea in whole or in part, you must see that your contrasting has an artistic verisimilitude that would be kindly on the eyes.

April 1943

Count Your Coupons
When you are thinking of  buying some garment or a piece of material, count over your coupons and think of the warm things that you will need in the winter time.  The cold weather is only a few weeks ahead.  Better hold your coupons.

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The more clothes are curtailed the more frequently shall we see "split" suits, and many a plain skirt will match up with a check coat, or vice versa.  As a matter of fact, the result can be very pleasing.  We noted in one of the recent films that Diana Barrymore, daughter of the famous John, wore a combination suit of check and plain fabric.

May 1943

Versatile Wardrobes
So many old season's garments in the wardrobe; bring them out, they will save coupons and money, money urgently needed to help win the war.

Alteration Scheme
Time and a little patience will accomplish a lot in the way of saving money and clothes coupons if you systematically go through your wardrobe to see what you really can do in the way of modernising your clothes.
Take your swagger coat that looked all right three years ago.  The material is good, but it is out-of-date, and all your friends will remember it!  Well what if they do?  Quite a lot of them would like to have it.
It started life as a check tweed.  Well, why not have it dyed to tone with the darkest shade of the pattern.  You could trim it with a plain cloth in a contrasting—collar, belt, pocket.
This would take very little material from some of the stuff you have on hand.
If it needs shortening, do so.  An inch or two off the hemline will make just that difference between something dowdy and something smart.
Other ideas in the alteration scheme will occur to you, and you will find them well worth while.

New Ration Books
The next issue of ration books will be made on June 5 and 6, according to an announcement by the Minister for Customs, Senator Keane.

June 1943

Coupons Again
In theory, the idea behind rationing and coupons was to limit the number of garments one person could buy.  It didn't matter how much money you might have, you could not buy more clothes than anyone else.
Well, it has not worked that way, and the "shrewdies" have used their heads to personal advantage.  Father, who is well-provided for, and does not require many coupons, passes them on to his wife or daughters, and other quiet stay-at-home folk, whose needs are few, give their coupons to the greedy bargain-hunters and hoarders.
One individual in the press stated he had not used any of his "G" or "H" coupons, and wanted to know what bonus would be given him because he was such a good boy!  There are bound to be inequalities and trafficking, but the equal allocation of coupons, irrespective of individual needs, is the fairest method.  The golden rule for everyone is to remember that coupons are a means to an end, and in order to safeguard stocks and materials, to use as few coupons as possible.

August 1943

Remnants
Remnants of material can often be bought very cheaply and with a save on coupons.  Did you ever try to see what you can do with two remnants of different colours?  Neither would make a frock, but combined, with a little good taste, you can evolve a most interesting dress.  We have seen quite a number of these "make-do" two-piecers about, and some of them are most ingenious.
We noticed one such frock a few days ago, just a bit of red material matched to a red and beige checked woollen.  The bodice, which had a shirt neck, was generously panelled down the front with the red contrast.  The only other touch of red was the belt and pockets.

September 1943

Inside Out
"Here in England," writes a correspondent, "long before the war, there were a number of firms that specialised in turning men's worn and faded suits inside out.  Hey, presto, you had a new suit from your old one!"  Womenfolk are taking a lesson from the book of these tailoring firms, and by turning a dress inside out, evolve a new frock.  The  process is not by any means difficult.  Everything has to be unpicked, cleaned and pressed, and hand adjustments made to any worn parts.

Stocking Sense
Rayon seems to be the most manufactured fabric for stockings now, and a little care on your part will help preserve these so precious articles.
Buy wisely.  Get your proper foot size—that is important.  Put on carefully.  Turn inside out and slip foot on—roll up smoothly; don't suspender too tightly.
Wash frequently.  Wash after every wearing.  Handle carefully when wet.  Dry away from direct heat.  Don't wear until bone dry.
Avoid ladders.  Yes, these can be avoided.  Watch out for the snags—a rough edge on your office desk, a bracelet, ring, or shoe buckle.

November 1943

From America Too
 A Hollywood correspondent tells us the Americans are fond of the pinafore style; "in fact," she says, "they have gone whoopee on pinafores and renovations!"

Suppose that one of your old frocks is like the curate's egg, good in parts.  It may be worn under the arms and a bit shabby and faded down the blouse front.
All you have to do is cut away the sleeves and the under-arms of the blouse.