Keeping Warm in the 1930s- Overcoats!

Now that’s we’ve taken a quick look at what goes on underneath, let’s skip to what goes on top!  Many gals have mentioned that layering is what’s needed, since it can be frigid inside and then toasty indoors.  Luckily, we can remove the overcoat.

Unlike today, when a girl can choose (or thrift, or make) several coats in one season, our counterparts in the 1930s would have to choose very wisely.  Most women had one overcoat, and that coat had to last through several winters.  Because of that, overcoats needed to be chosen with great care and thought.  It had to match your wardrobe, go with your other clothing, and fit your unique style.  This is why, often times, vintage overcoats could be a bit “bland”.  The flashy ones were fun, but were more the luxury of women who could afford to have an alternate coat- or else the purchase could be regretted the following year when the fashion forward coat was suddenly out of style!  It’s actually a great lesson to take with us into how we select our wardrobe today.  Think of it as quality over quantity- or choose a great basic to mix with more inexpensive “fun” pieces, like a quirky hat, bag, or brooch.

However, I am in LOVE with all these more fashion forward versions of coats below.  They scream the era they’re from, but aren’t they just delightful with their topstitching detail?  (Actually, they’re a glimpse of things to come for Wearing History, since I’ve been back puttering away at a pattern with similar detailing, but from a different era).

The one below has a definate “Gay 90’s” flair, as they called it in the mid to late 30s. What a time to harken back to the 1890s! It’s kind of funny, actually- our harkening to 40 years prior would put us in the 1970’s, and we can’t say that there aren’t fashions floating around today that were influenced by the recent past.

I’ve got more great coat images I can share that fall more in line with “warmth” than “chic”, but these were so fun I had to share.

For past posts of mine with images of overcoats, check out these links:

• Catalog Inspiration: Fall and Winter Coats- 1939-1940
• What Real People Wore- Ladies Overcoats- 1932 and 1940
• Leg-O-Mutton Overcoats, 1936-1937
• What Real People Wore- Winter Coats
• Jackets and Rainwear- Fall/Winter 1938-40
• Winter Coats and A Ginger Rogers Snowsuit- Fall/Winter 1936-37
• Fox Fur Collar Coat, Circa 1936, and Coat Musings
• Autumn Coats, 1930s Style
• Stormy Weather Inspirations- Winter Coats Circa 1934
• The Answers to the Coat Question- The Polo Coat, 1934