All posts filed under: 20th Century

Rate the Dress: 1930s rainbow stripes

Published by The Dreamstress

Wow.  I really never do know what you guys with think of a frock!  I post the most saccharinely sweet 1850s dress, and you like it, because you like the period, and then I post a fringe covered 1850s dress that almost makes me like fringe (and that’s saying a lot), and your reaction….well!  Elise called it “…what my spiritual ancestress would have worn in the 19th century to campaign for gay civil rights”, but the overall concensus was piñata.  Poor piñata frock took a hit at (OK, I haven’t managed to add up the scores yet, but I know it’s under 7 out of 10). Update: Oh wow.  7 out of 10 was way ambitious.  The final tally: 4.5 out of 10.  The piñata is busted. This week I’m sticking with the rainbow stripes for our striped theme.  This is Elizabeth Hawes’ 1937 “Alimony” dress, in all its circle skirted fuschia and teal and lime and lemon and ochre and mallard and pumpkin and gold and white striped glory. To tone it down, and …

Striiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipppppppppeeeeeeessssss

Published by The Dreamstress

I’ve already done a whole post of stripe inspiration, but I just can’t resist showing you this gorgeous fashion plate from the Girl’s Own Paper. Just look at the way the stripes run across the sides!  The description says ‘the front and back widths of the skirt are cut on the straight, while the side widths are on the cross’.  Fabulous! Now I just need a soft, draping fabric (preferably silk) with a satin stripe running through it.  The plate says grey and white, but I’m imagining it in a soft green…

Sunday glamour

Published by The Dreamstress

Remember the assuit tunic that Elise gave me?  Shortly after I posted about it I found this amazing image of Clara Bow in a very glamourous assuit dress.  From the rest of her attire, she may have been going to a fancy dress party. Isn’t it fabulous?  (and scandalous!  Is it just me or does the lining not start until halfway down her hips?) Speaking of assuit, am I the only one who wondered if there was any chance that the sleeves of  Halle Berry’s Oscars dress were assuit?  I haven’t been able to find a close-up enough image to tell.  It would definitely improve my rating if it was!