Sunday 20 March 2022

Twenty, forty, sixty

Just a short post this week, based on an article in the 5 September 1934 issue of Vogue.

No Pattern Book, but hats, fabric and patterns all feature

The issues of the magazine which did not have a Pattern Book attached often seem to have carried a brief item on the latest patterns. In this case, the 'Vogue Pattern Wardrobe' piece covers a selection of evening, outdoor and daywear patterns suitable for women in their twenties, forties and sixties, along with suggested fabrics.

Patterns for the twenties, and suggested fabrics

Close-up of the patterns, click to enlarge

As ever, I am at a loss as to what makes the patterns suitable for each age range.

Forties styles

Also as ever, the older women are drawn as having light-coloured hair, but otherwise not remotely older.

No sign of matronly figures here!

The illustrations for all ages use the improbable proportions of fashion drawings of the era.

Unrealistic body image, 1930s-style

The coat for in the sixties selection is the only pattern for which I could find a pattern envelope illustration.

Vogue 6714, from Vintage Sewing Patterns

I only have a few pre-war issues of Vogue and the Pattern Book, so I can't tell how regular this sort of feature was. Nonetheless, it's interesting to see that well before the arrival of Mrs Exeter, the older woman was, at least occasionally, specifically referenced by Vogue patterns.

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