My First Miss Fisher Outfit

Last month I wrote about my love obsession with Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and of course Miss Fisher’s fashion.

While the show is set in 1929, most of what Miss Fisher wears is much more 1930s. I’m totally okay with that – the ’30s is my favorite 20th century decade of style, and one that I feel can be worn today without looking *too* much like you’re wearing a costume. People notice you’re dressed nicely, but they don’t question why.

Basing my Miss Fisher Wardrobe on this particular outfit…

After attending Wearing History‘s Costume College class on creating a vintage “capsule wardrobe,” I decided to put together a Miss Fisher capsule wardrobe for the impending Autumn. My plan:

Base Color: Navy Blue
Base Fabric: Wool Gabardine

• One pair of wide-legged trousers
• One skirt with interesting deco details
• One long robe-coat

(all of the items above in navy blue wool gabardine)

• Variation will be in blouses, some plain, some in deco prints, all coordinate with the navy blue
• A selection of scarves
• A selection of cloche hats – close-fitting, wide-brimmed, etc.
• Oxford shoes, particularly spectators. I have lots already. 

Not too complex, right? Miss Fisher primarily wears some combination of trouser/blouse/robe-coat/hat in every episode.

I’ve completed the first two pieces. My trousers are made from Simplicity 6659, the same 1970s pattern I used to make my super wide-legged white trousers, except that I narrowed the bell-shaped legs. I also added pockets (a tutorial on that later). I know this pattern is long out-of-print, so I recommend  Wearing History “Smooth Sailing” Sporting Togs (printed pattern contains the trousers and blouse) orSimplicity 3688 – 1940s repro pattern with trousers, blouse, and blazer as readily available and easy to make.

Wool gabardine trousers. I did not put a lining nor a crease in these, so they are very flowy and soft.

My blouse is from a modern, non-vintage pattern, Simplicity 2406. This is a Cynthia Rowley dress pattern, but in looking at the basic pieces, it’s just a basic un-shaped tunic tied with a sash at the waist.

I cut the dress off short, and used the bishop sleeve pattern (View C) to make the short raglan sleeves. I finished the neck edge with self-bias binding instead of facing, and the sash is separate – it can worn as a belt or a scarf.

The blouse is tucked in and the sash is tied at the waist, but can be worn as a scarf too.

Many of you on Facebook wanted to know about the fabric of the blouse. The fabric is figured and printed silk, the kind used for men’s ties or dress coat linings. It’s thin, but very tightly woven. It came in panels about a yard long and 40″ wide, from my local Mill End shop. I wouldn’t know where to find a fabric like that again, but if you’re wanting to make a flowy ’20s blouse, I recommend charmeuse, underlined chiffon, or any kind of thin and drapey material. This fabric was in the “fancies” section.

Lastly, and possibly most important, is the hat. The hat is 90% of what makes this outfit a Miss Fisher homage and not just something to wear to work. I chose a 1970s vintage-revival Adolpho II hat I got my for my birthday a few years ago. It’s a wool felt hat with rather dramatic pheasant feathers arching over the brim. Miss Fisher would approve. 🙂

Vintage 1970s Adolpho II hat – there are a lot of ’70s pieces that can be used for ’30s looks. It was the intention back then, too.

I learned how to block cloche hats at Costume College a couple years ago, so I’m already planning experiments for later in the season. Miss Fisher wears lots of inspiring pieces!

That’s all for now, but next I will be making the robe-coat and a couple more blouses, plus of course the hats! Stay tuned!