giant pants of the 30s

One of my favorite Tumblrs also has one of the best names: Giant Pants of the 30s.  It's fairly focused: usually (but not always) ladies, from the 1930s (but maybe sometimes the 20s or 40s), wearing amazing pants (or beach pajamas.  Or jumpsuits).  Here are some highlights:

1938 fashion ad.

Bette Davis.

Nautical sewing pattern.

Joan Bennett

The Duke of Windsor.  Holy moly.

Natalie Paley

Model with dog, 1932, by Yva.

Hollywood, Alfred Eisenstaedt.

June Knight.

Clara Bow.

xo

K

cracks

Cracks is a 2009 film directed by Jordan Scott (Ridley Scott's daughter), that is set at an English boarding school in the 1930s.  It stars Eva Green as a much-loved (but seriously crazy) swimming instructor.  I will say up front: the movie is not that great.  It's very derivative of a number of other films and books (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie comes immediately to mind).  But the sets and costumes are gorgeous.  And the actors portraying the boarding school girls are excellent, especially Juno Temple as Di.

But we're here for the clothes, duh!  So, of course, Eva Green's Miss G gets to wear some amazing outfits.  I wondered how a young boarding school swimming teacher in the 1930s was able to have such a large and beautiful wardrobe.  The only explanation given for this is the presence of a sewing machine in Miss G's room.

This striped jacket--amazing.  Especially loving the jewel tones against this misty forest backdrop.

Quite bohemian was Miss G.  Loved her pants and the amazing top.

The story is set on a fictional island off the coast of England, but the movie was filmed in Ireland.  The settings--particularly outdoors--are stunning.  

But of course, it was the clothes the girls wore that I loved the most.  They had uniforms, but were allowed to wear "mufti" on Sundays.

Orange velvet hat and coat.  Amazing.

Love the colors, the boots, the coats, hats, scarves...

I want to move to England and wear shorts with a cute sweater and Wellies.  Because I need to live in a place where it is possible to wear a sweater in the summer and not keel over.

Cutest sweater.

Look at the face on her!  Pretty dresses, but do not cross these bitches.  They gave me a flashback to junior high volleyball team.

 This little old terrier reminded me of Lucy, and my first thought was "nothing better happen to that dog!" but he never appeared again in the movie.  Whew.

Totally random shot having nothing to do with anything, but I'm glad it was left in the film.  I loved these ladies, and the sheep behind them.

I did love Miss G's room, though I'm sure it was some sort of film metaphor for her very disturbed mind.

xo

K

fashions from McCall's, May 1935

I promised another blog of 1930s fashion via McCall's magazine, and here it is!  This is from the May 1935 issue of the magazine, just one month after the first McCall's spread I posted about here.  Click the photos to enlarge them.

The May fashion section starts with a spread on accessories.  It's mostly about hosiery, but I love this quote: "Starting at the top with your new hat, you'll probably decide that sanity in style for spring, 1935, doesn't begin in the head!  For new hats are obviously mad.  If you're lucky enough to find a millinery salesgirl with an eye to what is becoming, you may get a delightful hat that doesn't make you look completely weird."

Evening wear.  An emphasis on oversize collars and lace--the center dress is lace, and the black inset dress has a matching lace coat.

Holy ruffles!  But I rather like the ruffled cape on the third from left.  To quote the copy: "Little capes of lace cannot be withstood."  No, they cannot.

Gah!  I'll take the first three dresses on the left, and the last green one.  Loving the use of "air holes" and cape sleeves to help keep the wearer cool.

I know from life experience:  Scotties make the best accessories!  (McCall's doesn't actually say that, but I really think so.)  Amusing sample of fashion godspeak ("if we say it, it is so") in this section: "Dark tunics are more interesting than light ones, and plain tunics smarter than printed."  Oh, okay.  Whatever you say.  I love the plaid peeking out from the dark tunic, and well, really, everything on this page.

Oh, that sweet little blue suit on the right!

I love the nautical navy linen dress, and the gray and red striped one.

xo

K

McCall's magazine, April 1935

Here are some photos I took of an April 1935 McCall's that was part of an estate buy we made.  It was a fantastic find, especially as I think the 1930s might be--if I had to pick--my favorite era of fashion.  If you click the photos you can make them much bigger, and should be able on some to click through to make them big enough to read the copy (worthwhile, believe me!).  Not only are the fashions amazing, but the illustrations and colors make me giddy!

The black print gown (second from left) is Molyneaux.  The two righthand dresses are Chanel, and though I find ruffles a bit foofy, I do like the dark gray plaid--brings it down to earth a bit.

Click photo to enlarge to read these tips.  I want a pair of mary janes with a Cuban heel, just like Miss Teen Age.

Mainbocher suit on the left; Chanel on the right.  Love the Chanel!

Oh boy--the muted colors!  The bows!  And the short capes!  The tan short-caped ensemble on the right page is Chanel; the brown print dress and jacket on the far right are Molyneux.  And how cute is that cherry print?

I am very much in love with the print chiffon dress on the right--the neckline, the sleeves!

Blue dress with the sailor neckline and maroon scarf.  So cute.

The printed chiffon gown on the right is Mainbocher and I am in love with it.

Fun collars!

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.  If so, there's another set to come from McCall's May 1935 issue, in a future post.

xo

K