Capes and Sleeves (Miroir des Modes, July 1924)

 And speaking of posting pretty pictures... this plate, from Le Miroir des Modes shows how very simple and streamlined women's fashions had become by the mid-twenties.  You would have to go back to around 1800 to find dresses as comfortable and with as few fusses and frills.  

For some reason there were no descriptions of these garments in the issue of Le Miroir des Modes where I scanned this picture.  However, since it advertises Butterick patterns, I was able to take the descriptions from a contemporary issue of The Delineator—but only for the figures on the left and right-hand sides!  

5199—Hand-fagoting at the neck, sleeves and on the pockets of this one-piece plaited frock is very smart.  The dress has a straight lower edge, slips on over the head and has a casing and elastic across the sides of a low waistline.  It may have long sleeves sewed into a body lining. 

5197—The new cape styles are irresistible to the young girls who choose a circular cape to wear with the one-piece slip-over dress.  Use plaid or striped wool with plain cape; or use soft twills, kasha, fine worsteds, wool crȇpe, plaids, plaid, striped or plain flannel for the entire costume.

"Soft Frocks, Won Over To The Cause of Inflated Sleeves" (McCall's, June 1935)

 Sometimes I post things because I have something meaningful to say about them.  Sometimes I post things simply because they look good.   Please enjoy this picture of 1930s summer dresses from McCall's.

TAFFETA is all over the place this season.  Here, in the navy chiffon frock, it makes the collar, bow and cuffs.  And of the various taffetas, the dotted ones are the smartest ones.  No. 8291.

SCARFS are as important as ever, and there are several new ways to wear them.  The white dress shows one of them.  You will notice that the sleeves are gathered into the armhole.  No. 8303.

RUFFLES, the kind that it's a toss-up whether to call them ruffles or capes, make pretty necklines.  The ruffled neck of the dotted dress is both high and low, and pleases everyone.  No. 8301.

"Gowns For Daily Use" (McCall's, February 1914)

 The remarkable thing about these "gowns for daily use" is how smart they are—what a contrast to the everyday fashions of 2024!   By 1914 fashion had well and truly left the curvy Edwardian silhouette behind and women were striving for a flattened and more streamlined look.  Skirts tend to be narrow and taper towards the ankles, but note the carefully placed pleats allowing some wearing ease.

NO. 5687, LADIES' DRESS⸺This is an unusually new model, wide tucks being combined with sleeves in semi-raglan fashion.  This frock, made of deep red serge, would make a practical addition to the winter wardrobe.  Revers of red-and-white plaid silk, with a crushed girdle of the same would be very smart.  Long, tassel-finished sash ends would be an attractive feature.

NO. 5699, LADIES' DRESS⸺The simplicity and good style of this frock would make it especially adaptable for business women.  

NO. 5671, LADIES' WAIST⸺Kimono or peasant styles still hold sway.  They are simple in construction and lend themselves to various styles.  The blouse illustrated, developed in heavy lace with tunic of the same, is very striking.  The fullness of the blouse is gathered at the neck, giving an entirely new effect.  The V-shaped neck and surplus waist is especially becoming to slender figures.

NO. 5697, LADIES' ONE- OR TWO-PIECE SKIRT⸺Dame fashion has given her approval to large waists, exaggerated hips and extremely narrow skirts around the ankles.  We have no model that so fully carries out this fashionable outline as this illustration.  The drapery at the sides of this skirt accentuates the outline of the hip.

What We Wore in '74: Platforms and Wedges (David Jones, Spring and Summer 1974)

 If you wanted to wear trendy footwear in 1974, platform soles and/or wedge heels were a must.   The photographs below show some fashionable sandals from the summer David Jones catalogue.  Cork and rope seem to have been popular materials for the soles.

Kick up your heels!  The new Miss Jones collection for spring and summer has arrived!  Smacking of the sea with nautical corks and comfy wedges, strappy uppers and breezy open toes.

Sandler have the summer sandal scene all sewn up.  Bright colours that outshine the sun, raised up on fun-loving platforms; a look that's totally young and carefree.

Shoes are one of the most important considerations in your summer wardrobe.  they must be ultra-cool (you know how uncomfortable hot feet are!) yet they must be able to stand up to the rugged wear of summer.

People who remember the era tell me that these shoes were very noisy on uncarpeted floors!  By the end of the decade, however, bulky platforms were "out" and fashion had swung to the opposite extreme, with strappy stilettos being the footwear of choice.