Yes! Today I managed to get home early so there was still a bit of daylight left. At least, just enough to take some pictures of "Revue de la mode", the other vintage sewing magazine I bougth a few weeks ago.
"Revue" is printed in a larger size, A4 times 1,5 or something like that, so scanning it is out of the question. But, enough technicalities for now.
Here it is: Revue de la mode, winter 1951
It looks like the editor of "Record" wasn't lying when she mentioned full skirts as a new trend for the spring of 1952...
Full skirts are definately not as much in evidence 3 months (or 15 months??) earlier. Not even for those fashion-forward French ladies.
They are fashion-forward and flamboyant though, compared to their Dutch counterparts. See how they are all prancing about, while the Dutch illustrated ladies were just minding their own bussiness?
And all those big collars and crazy pockets... Even 'simple' day dresses like those in the picture above have some rather striking details. I bet the winter 1951 "Record" didn't come close to that.
This might just be conclusive proof that "Record" was, in reality, a Dutch magazine just claiming some sort of affiliation with the French.
These styles are great fun to look at, however, I am a Dutch woman... Even today, and even though I consider myself a fairly adventurous dresser, the more quiet styles of "Record" appeal more to my personal taste than the extravagance of "Revue" (although, of course, there are some looks I like).
It's not such a great disappointment then, that only 20 styles shown in the magazine are actually on the pattern sheet (and 4 of them are for children). The rest of the illustrations are advertising patterns to order. The pattern sheet itself look more familiar and less incomprehensible than Revue's. Not much of a challenge, I guess, since they didn't try to fit as many patterns onto it.
These patterns are all one size only as well, and I still haven't been able to find out what sizes they are... (which is not a language problem. my French isn't great at all, but good enough to decipher the texts in this magazine)
What do you think you are, early 50's style-wise? Dutch or French?
(added later: ) I went over the Revue pattern sheets again and finally found the instructions about size. Revue patterns in general are sized "0" to "III". "0" is for 88 cm bust and 94 cm hips and sizes go up in steps of 4 cm at a time. Most of the patterns printed are I's and II's with a single III thrown in. I'm really wondering about this sizing. I always thought people used to be smaller/thinner back then and assumed my size would be to my advantage when it came to finding vintage patterns...
I do not think much fabric was available in those 'austerity' years after the war, for full skirts...most European countries still had rationing.
ReplyDeleteTrue, and that caused the outrage about the New Look.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the Dutch and English were the prudent ones who cared about such things as distributing one's rations carefully. France was the New Look's home country. And spring 1952 is not that long after winter 1951, so I don't think it's a ration issue in this case
Definetely the French '50-s style patterns!
ReplyDeleteI spotted a coat and a dress that would fit your existing wardrobe and style. Much more stylish and so...much more you!
Have a great weekend and keep up the beautiful sewing and blogging!
Greetz from,
N
What fabulous illustrations!! The ladies are all so willowy, immaculately coiffured and "toes turned out"!! Such a huge contrast to the styling in fashion shoots of today... where messy hair and carefully dishevelled layering is often apparent.
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which I like better, some of the top ones appeal to me, and also some of the lower ones. What a pity not all patterns are printed in the magazine, you are going to have such fun having a go at these!