autumn fashions in Austria, 1935

I have new internet obsession, and its mouthful of a name (at least for us non-German speakers) is the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, or Austrian National Library.  The website for the library has a fabulous virtual reading room where you can peruse hundreds of years of Austrian newspapers and magazines, ranging from journals of firefighting and law, to travel and women's magazines.  One of my favorite discoveries is Moderne Welt (The Modern World) magazine, a treasure trove of vintage 1920s-1930s fashion (and fashion illustration).  Just to give you a taste, below is the cover and autumn fashions from the September 1935 issue (you can see the full issue online here).

Autumn hats.  (I have tried without success to decipher the signature of the illustrator for these interior illustrations.  If anybody knows what it says, please tell me!)

Autumn fashions for shopping and...walking the dog!  (I'm told Austrians really love dogs.)  Not only do I love the fashions here, but the script headers and little illustrations with them (particularly that terrier) are so charming.  Oh, and I'll take the plaid Shopping suit and the top Promenade outfit.  Danke!  (That cute green suit on the left with cherries on the front of the jacket is by Nina Ricci.)

And outfits for morning and afternoon.  I love the geometric details on the far left Vormittag dress, and the scalloping on the righthand Nachmittag dress (which is by Robert Piguet).

Gowns for the Theater, und für Tanz (dance!).  The far left gown is by Piguet, as are the purple and purple and gray Tanz dresses on the right.

And as an adorable bonus--autumn outfits für die Kinder!

xo
K

fancy slankets for 1955

I promised you some more holiday snippets from the December 1955 Women's Home Companion.  This article is about festive yet comfortable outfits for Christmas day or for holiday evenings at home.  Apparently they did not have Slankets or Snuggies in the 1950s.

Hey, if Dad's going to wear a suit, the least you can do is put a skirt or pants...or velveteen pants, for the kiddos.

The Clare McCardell "nightshirt dress" on the left reminds me a little of a Japanese kimono and does indeed look comfortable enough for an evening in.  And the blue velveteen outfit and cardigan on the right are totally cute.

Matching golden paisley shirt and pants set by Reid and Reid.

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