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| 1176 and 1177 |
Style seems to have had an aversion to putting dates on things, but some of my Style patterns in the 4400 and 4500 number ranges have a reference to the CC41 regulations printed on the envelopes, which indicates that they were issued during the period of clothes rationing. The numbering appears to have gone up to the very early 5000s, and then started again at 100.
All of the four-digit patterns beginning with 4 in the catalogue are for nightwear, underwear, or children's clothing. So are most of the low numbered three-digit patterns. Which makes sense, as these are not going to be much affected by changing fashion.
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| 4415 - this was school uniform for decades |
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| Slips and nighties are timeless |
Occasionally a detail in the illustration hints that this pattern has been in production for a while. The stocking in this illustration has the square top at the heel which was common in the 1940s and replaced in the next decade by the pointed top.
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| Cuban heel stockings |
The oldest adult pattern which I could find which isn't nightwear or underwear is this suit, 171.
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| 171 ties in with the other styles shown |
I have the pattern for this, and the artwork has clearly been completely redrawn for the catalogue, to make it more up-to-date. The hair has changed, the hat has been removed, and the version with the collar has been relegated to a small sketch.
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| More jewellery, fewer hats |
468 has undergone even more of a makeover, however. I recognised the design as another one in my own collection, but my copy is numbered 4462. The 1940s hairstyles of rolls and snoods have been updated and so (rather oddly, for a garment which isn't normally worn with a bra underneath) has the bust shape!
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| Spot the differences |
I’m intrigued now. I shall be keeping an eye out for these older patterns online, to see how the artwork has changed.
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