>Snow Play- Mid 1930s- What Real People Wore

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In lieu of catalog scans today I’m back to my little picture stash, sharing some fun little snapshots from the mid 1930s of a family or a group of friends in the snow.

 
 
Snowsuits are some of my very favorite vintage fashions.  I don’t own one yet myself, but I adore the styling of them from the mid 1930s.  Back before the plastic puffy suits were ones of heavy wool, often outfitted with slide fasteners or buttons, and the bottoms of the trousers had rib knitting.  Sometimes you see folks in jodhpurs and sweaters instead of snowsuits, and a lot of times they’re wearing high lace up leather boots.
Although you really don’t see them that often, there are vintage patterns for ladies’ snow suits, as the old ad in below shows.  I’ve got one in my stash from around 1935, but I rarely see them turn up.  Still, might beat paying hundreds of dollars for an original snowsuit! I had my eye on one on eBay recently that went over $400!

 So how about you?  Love or hate vintage snow wear?  Have you ever worn one or do you own one?  How good are they at keeping out the cold?

11 Comments on >Snow Play- Mid 1930s- What Real People Wore

  1. michou
    February 16, 2010 at 12:26 am (14 years ago)

    >En lieu instead of In leiu? ;-) I prefer spring, summer and autumn – and your blog!

  2. Wearing History
    February 16, 2010 at 12:55 am (14 years ago)

    >Doh! I always spell that word wrong! Thanks ;)

  3. Rueby...
    February 16, 2010 at 2:02 am (14 years ago)

    >How funny! I've never paid much attention to vintage snow fashions (except what Betty Grable wore in How To Marry A Millionaire) but I came across this pair of snowpants tonight on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39577392) and now you're post :DThey would still have been layered over several other layers of wool underwear I'm sure, so I imagine they would be quite warm…just not very wet proof necessarily. But then, if you're used to something and don't know any differently…they would keep out the cold quite well! I only wear wool winter jackets here (I think ski jackets are the ugliest things in the world) and we get down to -35 with wind chill for a few weeks in winter. I have different thicknesses of jackets though, from an Eskimo one with fur trimmed hood to a vintage Gloverall from England.

  4. Meg
    February 16, 2010 at 2:13 am (14 years ago)

    >I was just starting to enjoy the warmer days we've been having, but those folks are having so much fun that I wish it'd snow again!

  5. BaronessVonVintage
    February 16, 2010 at 3:24 am (14 years ago)

    >just LOVE these. I did grad work on the history of women's participation in mountaineering and was struck by similarities in what the lady climbers wore and the gals in your pics. The puttees, etc. Oh, just saw a pair of 1930s wool ski pants on Etsy today. They're a glorious green, white, and black plaid. Just fabulous!

  6. Nadja
    February 16, 2010 at 10:14 am (14 years ago)

    >I know what my mom and grandma wore in the winters, and I have had a thought of making a pair of heawywoolpants for years! Mom wore ribbedknitted tubes over the boots and pants so they were easy to change, attached I to the pants I don´t know if I would like to go oute several times every day, knowing that the knitted parts will freeze…

  7. casey
    February 16, 2010 at 1:42 pm (14 years ago)

    >I really adore the style of vintage snow wear! I mean, heck: I'll take that any day over the puffy, plastic-y stuff. hehe! But then again, I might feel differently after a day of skiing… Still, if I ever did need some snow gear, it might be fun to make a 30s/40s style outfit. ;)♥ Caseyblog | elegantmusings.com

  8. Kristen
    February 16, 2010 at 3:36 pm (14 years ago)

    >I just love old pics like this where everyone is clowning around instead of posing stiffly. I'll be sure to watch the thrift stores for a snowsuit pattern – it's a long shot, but you never know when good thrifting karma will hit you. :)

  9. Solanah
    February 20, 2010 at 5:51 pm (14 years ago)

    >I lucky enough to get a green 30s snow suit at the vintage store I work at for under $40, and it's in perfect condition! Of course, it did not snow this year :( So I just wear it around the house and turn the heat down ;)

  10. fuzzylizzie
    February 21, 2010 at 7:32 pm (14 years ago)

    >I love vintage skiwear. I have several sets: A brown wool with a Sonja Henie label. It's lined in cotton flannel that is a ski themed novelty print!A grey and red gab set from the 40sAnd a mod 1960s set that belonged to olympic skier, Bud Little's wife Mary.I don't wear them; I just admire them. I also collect vintage photos of ladies in their sportswear.I was looking at a 1937 Bazaar this morning and it showed a woman wearing the latest in ski wear – a skirt!

  11. Miss CherryBubbles
    February 24, 2010 at 1:51 pm (14 years ago)

    >It's snowing outside now, and that reminded me of this post ;) I love vintage winterwear – wish I owned one of those terrific 30s or 40s wool snow suits! I have yet to run across one in my travels. I'm not savvy enough with sewing to make one, but maybe someday.I also love old photos – especially of "real people" who are obviously enjoying themselves. Thank you for sharing the pics!

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