1940s wardrobe essentials

[Lily Powers]

Once in awhile, I head over to the main branch of our local library and scan through the old college yearbooks (1920's/1930's/1940's; several universities) to see a candid glimpse of how girls wore their hair and dressed. Lady Day, those are just beautiful photos you posted. I wish I could sew! I get so inspired looking at those!

 

[newtovintage]

Not sure where to post it...

but I have a question,or two. During the 40s, were there books on running your own household (ie. for new homemakers), books that told you what should be done and how to do it? I would really like to know, since, hopefully someday I will have my own home and family. I didn't know if such books existed or not. Any thoughts or ideas?
Sarah

 

[Lady Day]

I have a few issues of Ladies Home Journal.

LD

 

[newtovintage]

I have a few issues of Ladies Home Journal.

LD

Did they have articles about keeping house, how to get started, and the like?

 

[LizzieMaine]

but I have a question,or two. During the 40s, were there books on running your own household (ie. for new homemakers), books that told you what should be done and how to do it? I would really like to know, since, hopefully someday I will have my own home and family. I didn't know if such books existed or not. Any thoughts or ideas?
Sarah

Look for old high school Home Economics textbooks -- they were designed to teach every teenage girl what she needed to know. Up until the last decade or so, home ec was a required class in most high schools, and these books should still be easy to find. The one I used in my own school days, and which I still have a copy of, is called "Experiences In Homemaking," first published in 1941, and reissued in revised editions at least into the sixties. The edition I have dates to 1951, and has everything from how to set a table to how to hem sheets to how to darn a stocking to how to host a party.

Such books are often very cheap at used bookstores, and they're well worth the few dollars they'll cost.

I also second LD's recommendation for Ladies Home Journal. Woman's Home Companion, McCall's and Good Housekeeping are also worthwhile vintage-era publications which contain the sort of information you're looking for.

 

[Idledame]

OOH, OOH, OOH! I came across these reproduction patterns and they have the underwear! Plus suits, men's sweaters, dresses, etc.
http://stores.ebay.com/Iva-Rose-Vin...olZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ15894564QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm

 

[miss_elise]

but I have a question,or two. During the 40s, were there books on running your own household (ie. for new homemakers), books that told you what should be done and how to do it? I would really like to know, since, hopefully someday I will have my own home and family. I didn't know if such books existed or not. Any thoughts or ideas?
Sarah

The America's Housekeeping Book circa 1941. also reprinted 1945.

I bought mine off ebay for about $13

 

[Inky]

OOH, OOH, OOH! I came across these reproduction patterns and they have the underwear! Plus suits, men's sweaters, dresses, etc.
http://stores.ebay.com/Iva-Rose-Vin...olZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ15894564QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm

Ooooh good find! One of my new years "revolutions (as I used to call them as a kid)" is to use up my embarrassingly overflowing yarn stash.

Thanks for thank linkie!

 

[exquisitebones]

Thanks for the link, as soon as I finish my "3-hour-really-20-hour-sweater" I will try my hand at a nice camisole those patterns are great!

 

[Lady Day]

More pictures!!

I scanned these while I was waiting for my laundry to dry.

LD

 

[Lady Day]

LD

 

[Inky]

LD - thank you again for taking the time to scan those images!! wow, what a fashion reference those images are. I especially love the "full-figured" models and dress styles.

This is now officially my favorite thread on FL!

 

[newtovintage]

Thank you all ladies for the ideas. I was able to find several books on home economics from my library's interlibrary loan that were published in the 40s. Can't wait till they come. Lady Day, thank you for taking the time to scan those pictures, they are lovely.
Sarah

 

[AmateisGal]

LD, these pictures are absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for scanning them in. I know it takes time, but it is greatly appreciated!

 

[AmateisGal]

Lizzie, you are just a fountain of knowledge! Wow. Who needs history books when we have you?

 

[justaktty]

I just found this thread. What a treasure it is! Thank you all for posting this fabulous information.

Now I just wish I could knit!

Justaktty

 

[imported_miss_molly]

Just another post to thank LD for scanning in those pictures, they are wonderful!

 

[Inky]

What is the right "shape" for an early 1940's bosom?

I love the 50's cone shaped bra's, but I really don't wear those kinds of clothes and right now wear a modern under wire smooth bra that gives me a natural looking round bosom, and I am only assuming that "natural" was pretty much the way they were shaped in the early 40's era.

Maybe we can persuade Lady Day to post more pictures of her 1940/41 Sears catalog. I am particularly interested in the bras and underwear.

 

[LelaViavonie]

Lady Day.. those pictures are wonderful!!! Thank you so much for posting those!

 

[kamikat]

What is the right "shape" for an early 1940's bosom?

Maybe we can persuade Lady Day to post more pictures of her 1940/41 Sears catalog. I am particularly interested in the bras and underwear.

I have Everyday Fashions As Seen in Sears and most of those bras remind of the shape of Playtex 18hr bras, slightly pointier than a molded, seamless bra, but no where near bullet bra.