With so many fanciful gowns from various centuries lingering in my closet, 20th century items just feel like normal clothes now.
Which is great!
Sure, I wear my share of skinny jeans, Target t-shirts, and hoodies, but when I want to look “put together,” I always go for something vintage inspired, and usually separates at that.
It’s so easy to throw a quick outfit together with those few key pieces. One of my key pieces is a 1930s navy blue wool gabardine skirt. It transitions between seasons perfectly, and despite people thinking I look like a granny, I feel elegant wearing it.
This past weekend it rained and was chilly, so I paired the 1930s skirt with knit tights, leather oxfords, wool beret, and a new ’30s style sweater, belted at the waist. The sweater is actually from the ’70s, another time when an interest in early 20th century fashion was popular. Despite the sweater being 100% “PolyAcryl” (we don’t even use that term today!), it’s comfortable to wear, easy to care for, and definitely looks the part.
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| 1970s-does-30s sweater detail. That collar! Sweater was from KatadrianVintage on Etsy. |
I call this my “Bonnie” outfit. I just need the pistol to complete the look. 🙂
18 Comments
La belle inconnue
October 19, 2015 at 11:33 PMI know what you mean about "looking like a granny". I like to wear 40s and 50s inspired outfits day to day and when I was teaching I used to get lots of comments along these lines. I have to say I was fairly impressed by the girls who had enough knowledge to make air raid siren noises since the more usual question was "Miss, why do you dress like a Victorian?". I got tired of explaining that I do dress like a Victorian sometimes but not at school and wished that the history department would include some fashion history in their syllabus to save me the trouble! But I agree with you – I think it looks great and it certainly feels great. And personally, I'd be quite happy to look the way my Grandma did when she was my age! Congratulations on your outfit by the way – a clever combination that really looks the part.
Lauren Stowell
October 20, 2015 at 4:06 AMI think the questions are kindof fun, because you can take the conversation in any direction. I'd rather have questions than people completely ignoring that you're wearing something "special." When people ask me why I'm dressed like an old lady, I sometimes ask them why they're not. 🙂 Or "what the occasion?" – "I got out of bed today" hehehe. It usually brings smiles. 🙂
Lavender and Twill
October 20, 2015 at 8:45 AMYou look so far from a granny in this lovely outfit! I think it's a gorgeous combination of colors, and the lacy sweater adds something special. It's a stunning fall look! ❤
xox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill
Lauren Stowell
October 21, 2015 at 8:57 PMThank you!
Renate Seline Zaz
October 20, 2015 at 9:49 AMYou look adorable! (Then again, one of my husband's terms of endearment for me is his "old lady wife," so I can't speak to the un-grannyness of this outfit. But I think it looks awesome!)
Lauren Stowell
October 21, 2015 at 8:57 PMThanks!
Cate
October 20, 2015 at 10:15 AMI love this outfit and don't think it's Grannyish at all, in fact this is one of my most favourite styles from the 1930s, a beautifully cut skirt, a cute interesting jumper or blouse, a pair of Oxfords and a beret. It's a look I wear often. I adore that jumper and am on the hunt for something similar as most of mine have short or three-quarter length sleeves which it's getting far too cold for.
Lauren Stowell
October 21, 2015 at 8:58 PMI highly recommend searching Etsy for "70s does 30s" or "80s does 20s". It takes a lot of looking, but they're out there. 🙂
AuntieNan
October 20, 2015 at 1:01 PMDon't you just love the drapey slim fit of the sweater? Really shows off your figure! I'd love to see it also with slim gabardine pants, or with the skirt and a neutral belt and dark tights. Great look! And I agree with the previous poster — I would love to have my grandmas figures, esp her gams!!!!
Best,
Nancy N
Lauren Stowell
October 21, 2015 at 8:59 PMIt's very versatile! As it happens, I do have gabardine pants, but they're wide-legged. The sweater doesn't work so well with them, but with cigarette pants I think it could look great. 🙂
Carla
October 21, 2015 at 2:56 AMThat sweater is too lovely!! All the colors go together so well, and I agree, you do need a small gun to complete the Bonnie look, haha!
Carla, Tiny Angry Crafts
Lauren Stowell
October 21, 2015 at 9:00 PMMaybe I can get one at the Halloween store, for occasions such as these 🙂
Kara
October 21, 2015 at 9:43 AMYou look great. I don't have anything in my closet from the 20's or 30's and keep meaning to do something about it, but never quite get around to it.
The collar on the sweater is amazing!
Lauren Stowell
October 21, 2015 at 9:01 PMLuckily both eras have easy-to-make items that take just a weekend to put together. 🙂
Gina
October 21, 2015 at 6:26 PMPft!! Who says you look like a Granny!!! They need to get their eyeballs checked….You look fabulous and I love that sweater so much! I cannot wait to complete my 1840s mourning ensemble so I can get started on my 1930s wardrobe!! This is another fabulous inspiration and this era lends itself more nicely to every day wear!!
Blessings!
g
Lauren Stowell
October 21, 2015 at 9:03 PMThank you! I love "secret vintage" outfits, when you're wearing something totally vintage but it blends just enough with modern fashion that you don't cause people to stare, but you look sharp. The 30s is great for that right now – there are a lot of 30s style chiffonny blouses in the stores. Girls are wearing those with skinny jeans, but paired with a '30s skirt and blazer, they do the job quite well. 🙂
Unknown
October 22, 2015 at 1:37 PMI've been loving reading your blog so much! I am such a fan of period dress and would love to be able to make some of my own someday. What advice would you give to an inexperienced sewer who wanted to learn costume making? Any particular sources you feel are essential?
Lauren Stowell
October 23, 2015 at 7:52 AMHi Amanda – welcome to the wacky world of historical costuming. I started with Simplicity patterns and a lot of research (today we call that looking at pretty pictures on Pinterest, haha), but there are more and more independent pattern companies now with excellent repro patterns that work wonderfully and are designed by and for historical costumers.
One I highly recommend is Wearing History Patterns – the Smooth Sailing pattern includes 1930s trousers, shorts, and a blouse, all of which go together easily with great instructions, very important for beginners. Wearing History also has Edwardian patterns. It's worth it to spring for the printed patterns instead of the ePatterns, to dial out the human error problem that can come up with taping all the ePattern pieces together.
Another great independent pattern company that produces fabulous patterns with thorough instructions is Truly Victorian. This is a little deeper down the rabbit hole, because once you start in on attire before the 1920s, you'll need to do the underpinnings as well as the outer pieces of the ensemble. Truly Victorian has patterns and instructions for everything you'll need from corsets to bustles to skirts, aprons, and bodices. Their time periods start at the 1830s and go all the way through the early 1900s.
There are a gazillion books for historical costumers. Some are collection catalogs with loads of gorgeous reference images. Some are in depth studies of original garments, with detailed drawings or photographs. Some have gridded patterns. Some are more about material culture and how fashion fits into that. Some are sewing guides. All are useful. Here's a good starter list: http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-historical-costumers-holiday-book.html
I hope that helps! Perhaps the most important thing is to just jump in and get started. Choose a forgiving fabric to begin with, like cotton, and don't be afraid to ask questions. 🙂