Colorful, Practical Playwear- 1946


How’s your summer sewing going?  Or summer shopping?  I still need a few pairs of shorts and I am in love with the cut of the yellow ones above, combined with the cute tropical tie top (kind of looks like the top from the Sunkissed Sweetheart pattern…. hmm… might have to make myself up another one!).  I also love the stripes!  The images above are from the same catalog I shared swimsuit scans of in an earlier post, from 1946.  Notice that one of the gals above is wearing a T shirt, as described in “M”!

I just listed a new E-Book on my website– a compilation of five different sewing leaflets given out during WWII to Make Do and Mend.  Good way to rescue some clothing that you otherwise might not be wearing, and some good practical advice on sewing and mending.

Hope you’re all having a wonderful day!

9 Comments on Colorful, Practical Playwear- 1946

  1. Tasha
    July 7, 2011 at 9:39 pm (13 years ago)

    Ooh! I want one of each. I keep seeing those kind of overskirts though in practicality I’ve yet to figure out how/why exactly one would wear such a thing.

    My summer sewing started with a dress that I’m plodding along on. The pieces went together quickly but the zipper gave me fits, and now the neck binding is doing the same. But hopefully that will be tackled tonight… or tomorrow. ;)

    • wearinghistory
      July 18, 2011 at 4:24 pm (13 years ago)

      I love the little overskits and my husband hates them! Haha. He thinks you might as well not wear one, as wear one unbuttoned. I think it might be a modesty thing? Like… hey! I’m wearing shorts but you can’t tell from the back! And when you’d get beach or poolside you’d take it off? Kind of like wearing a towel or shorts when walking to the beach? That’s my best guess anyways :)
      Aww… I hate that with zippers/finishing. I usually loose steam about that time and things have a tenancy to sit ;)

  2. Heide from apronhistory
    July 8, 2011 at 2:14 pm (13 years ago)

    Love love the stripes! I haven’t made myself a playsuit yet. Maybe it should be next on my list… The button off skirts look so fun!

    • wearinghistory
      July 18, 2011 at 4:25 pm (13 years ago)

      Stripes for the win! and Yay for playsuits! I would love to see you make one :)

  3. Casey
    July 10, 2011 at 5:22 pm (13 years ago)

    Oh my goodness–I love these outfits! Especially the midriff tops; but then again I pretty much live in those once July hits. ;) Thanks for sharing these snippets.

    My summer sewing has become extremely distracted. I abandoned my summer sewing list a week ago and have been merrily working on various other things! Right now I’m getting ready to cut out some pretty red linen to make a wiggle version of my 50s sundress. ;) But I really do need to get “back to business” with my sewing and whip up some shorts; it’s getting too hot here. lol.

    • wearinghistory
      July 18, 2011 at 4:26 pm (13 years ago)

      Aren’t they fun! In this catalog I see you in nearly every outfit, Casey!
      Haha! I know what you mean. It’s so easy to get distracted to other fun projects when the weather is nice :)

  4. katina.
    July 11, 2011 at 3:10 am (13 years ago)

    i LOVE these! thanks for sharing <3

  5. Jen O
    July 20, 2011 at 3:43 pm (13 years ago)

    I love that midriff top! I think those styles are some of the best things about 40’s fashions. Thanks for the pix, they are great inspiration.

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