1940's and 50's accessories

This week I have bought a couple of boxes at auction that contained everything you need for the well dressed woman of the 1940's!  A couple of bungalow dresses or aprons...   these would have been worn as a dress with maybe a sweater or blouse underneath during the morning in the house so that housework could be carried out. They would never have been worn by a respectable lady outside of the home. She would have always changed into smart clothes including gloves and hat when she went out to do the daily shopping or visiting.

It is quite easy to find sewing patterns to make bungalow dresses and they are simple to make however getting the correct fabric is a little harder - this one is a very typical 1940's print.

The box also had several 1950's hostess aprons - little dinky aprons so that you still look smart when your husband comes home from work and you have his supper on the table (and his slippers warming by the fire!).

Also several pairs of gloves - in all sorts of colours. Gloves, hat, shoes and handbag should always match!

                                               Long gloves for the evening

                                                         And always a hat.....

All perfect for re-enactment weekends, fancy dress or theatre productions. Or maybe just for that glamorous look when you go to the shops!

More 1940's style!

This coming week I am continuing the 1940's theme with some dresses - two 1940's style and the third a genuine period dress. The gloves really complete the outfit, although having worn gloves on the night of the party (see previous post) I do wonder how the women of the time got anything done! I had those gloves on and off all night - now I know why finger food was not introduced to parties until the 60's!

This one has quite a classic look to it - peep-toe sandals and a smart hat and maybe (if you can "do" fur) the fur wrap or cape below.

This last one is the original home made item. Probably used more as a day dress than for occasions.

Now just the gloves!

All are either listed on eBay now or coming up for sale later this week. Just need the Glenn Miller Band and to learn how to swing!

1940's style - accessories are everything!

I bought a large quantity of 1940's era hats last week at a local auction.  These three are some of the twenty-odd that all came from the same house. They were in old hat boxes which are also for sale on eBay at the moment along with the hats. I think that a hat box is essential to stop damage, dust and denting and you can keep all the accessories in one too - gloves (a must for a lady of the 40's), little clutch purse, maybe a little spotted scarf.

The 1940's look is still very popular, both as a fashion statement and for re-enactment or fancy dress. These hats in fact came a little too late for my own use unfortunately! In June I was invited to a 50th birthday party which was themed in 1940's wartime style. It was a great party, held in a period village hall all decked out in patriotic bunting and everyone stepped up to the mark and dressed in period. The culinary masterpiece was the Fish & Chip van that had been booked to provide supper and the cake table (the Party Girl was invited to judge on the best cake!) provided dessert.

As a present, 24 girlfriends had each made a square which (with help!) I put together to make a patchwork quilt. Each square is different obviously - from embroidery to sequins, applique to screen print. Then a border and backing in black velvet and "tied" with glass crystal beads at the corners of each square for a "bit of bling"

We managed to keep it a secret from her and I think (hope) that it was a lovely surprise and a keepsake to remind her of the night and her friends.