Monday 19 March 2012

The practical suit

The suit was very much a staple in the wardrobe of women in the 40’s, as it had been in the decades before and after. You got married in a suit, you worked in a suit, and you shopped in a suit, travelled in it or took a country walk. It could be dressed up with a hat and jewelry, thus stretching the wardrobe for those on a meager budget. In short, it was a very practical combination of garments, the most common combination being a jacket and a skirt.

Coco Chanel in the 1940's.


A suit can also be in three pieces, with a matching coat. (Add a waistcoat and you get four...)






Of course, it doesn't have to be a jacket with a skirt to add up to a suit, it can be with a dress too, like this lovely design from 1951 by Mollie Parnis.


And, for a woman, a suit doesn't have to be made in the same fabric top to bottom, like this one by Balmain in 1949.


The most classic of suits. With small variations, this style can be found in most decades.






A more outrageous design that probably wasn't worn by the average woman. It's nice, though.


Grey and pink is a lovely combination.


But so is navy and grey.


And pink and black is a rather classic combination too.






New Look

4 comments:

snippa said...

Great set of inspirational pictures. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Stunning! I love how the made sure to match everything! Love it!! xox

Anonymous said...

I've been wanting to make a suit. Now I want to make a suit with a matching coat. These pictures are great. Thank you for sharing them!

Isis said...

Snippa: My pleasure. :)

Bunny Moreno: It's incredibly well-matched, isn't it? :D

jmsewingstudio: Oh do! I'm sure it would be stunning.

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