I’m not sure how I haven’t fully shared this before—I could have sworn I did, but perhaps it was so long ago and is so buried in the archives that it’s worth sharing again. This 1936-37 catalog is a amazing treasure I found in a thrift store in Virginia years ago (probably 4 or 5)—a complete fluke since I have not found anything quite like this since. I rediscovered it the other day between some other old catalogs I have in storage, and just knew I had to start sharing the treasures within! They’ll be a few more posts like this since there are many pages of inspiration and adorable styles from the mid 30s that you’ll enjoy.
I am especially smitten with the pockets (of course!) and use of applied/passementrie trim. So many interesting ideas to cull for future sewing projects!
I just love these dresses! They seem to have a feminine elegance to them without a lot of lace and ruffles. I adore lace, though it can be overdone, and I just can’t pull off ruffles.
I like the long skirts and the tunic tops cinched in with a belt. All the embellishments change the look in many different ways. How about those buttons across the shoulder and down the side instead of in the front? And the hats are cute, too. I’m hard pressed to choose a favorite among them.
What a lovely collection of pictures. As you say, very inspiring!!
I absolutely adore 30s fashion, and I am in love with high necklines at the moment since it’s winter here in Australia. Thank you so much for sharing these photos with us! =)
You just made my morning and reaffirmed my obsession with tunic dresses!! YAY!
I love the black and white one with the vertical stripe up front!
Also, WOW, I totally had a polka dotted version of the dress at left in the fourth image down, in my shop…and I’ve got a black highnecked 30s dress currently listed that has tons of buttons–dress MUST be from around the date of this catalogue!! COOL!!!!
Wow! Thanks Casey! These are FABulous! So many brilliant details to poach…;)
Px
I love them all! It is so hard to choose a favorite. Wouldn’t it be divine to have several of these in one’s wardrobe?
Wow! The “Swingtime” Pelpum dress! Love the braid detail!
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!
so cool! that black and white one in the second to last pic is so “mod”!!
Thank you so much for sharing these, and please do continue to do so with the rest! These dresses and hats are so lovely, it does make me regret even more that I haven’t the talent for sewing!
- Emily
I adore late 1930s fashions…I once found a vintage 1930s **hat** pattern at a thrift store…on a busy shopping day. It was dirt cheap, like 50 cents. I think I sold it on eBay, can’t remember now. Anyhow, one thing that’s still easy to find and still readily affordable are dickeys from the 1930s. I have some I’ve found at thrift store. I plan to reuse with the new stretch lace tops I’m sewing…
Absolutely LOVE 1930′s fashions! So feminine and yet functional.
Gorgeous! I’m in love with a lot of those outfits! Thanks for sharing such a great treasure.
Gorgeous. There isn’t a single dud in the pictures that you posted. All those cute details. How inspiring!
I love the brown polka dot one! I wish they showed off the shoes a little more. I, like most ladies, am a little obsessed with shoes! I just bought a book by Time Life about the 40′s and 50′s! It’s a great book and it helped me to get my Grandma (who was born in 1930) to open up about her past!
I love styles from the 30′s, I don’t know why. I have a pattern I absolutely cherish too that I really should make up. I’m just afraid the styles won’t fit me, I’m a little top heavy already!
Oh those are gorgeous!
oh dear! What a beautiful find! I am absolutely loving the tunic dresses!
What a great find! Such beautiful clothes! I wish we could buy clothes like that now.
Oh lovely, I really enjoy all the collars!
Old catalogs are so much fun! I adore all of those buttons! The trim on the red suit on the left of the second picture is gorgeous! I can’t wait to see some more pictures.
what a great collection, but those prices! can you believe it?
What a gem! I love everyone of those dresses and even though they were incredibly inexpensive by today’s standards the one thing that truly sets them apart was the workanmanship and attention to detail which is so lacking in modern fashion. I think that’s why I like your blog so much, I have seen how you sew your garments and take the time to press seams and finish off seams. Impeccable and I’m so jealous of your ability especially since my mom was a custom designer and tried several times to teach me to sew.
What clothes today are missing is the DETAILING!! Back then you could take a basic …. ANYTHING and add piping and a few pretty buttons and you have a completely beautiful outfit. Although – where did they store it all?? The outfit, the hat the purse and the accessories are all SO matched that they couldn’t possibly be a versatile as what we have today. AND (if there are any British readers out there please answer!!) how do you store so many hats?? I don’t have the closet space to keep them un-smooshed or room for more than 1 or 2 hat boxes.
I really love the silhouette in the brown dress of the first image. It would be so lovely in a bright color, or perhaps a soft floral pattern.
I like the outfit that is below the brown/white polka dotted outfit. Also, the black dress with the white stripes. I am not sure if I would make a dress in black and white, but the colors on paper look fabulous. A surely wonderful magazine to have! I have a few old 40s 50s lace edging magazines/leaflets, but nothing compared to clothing booklets! Now that’s to die for!
I also adore the very first outfit on the left. Alluring!
What beautiful pictures. And the outfits are so cute
Some lovely pictures there. Thanks for sharing!
I am in love with this blog. Your ideas are great and you work is fantastic! Keep it up! I so love vintage….Jenny
Beautiful outfits. I love the details.
An inspiring collection.Those dresses are so elegant and noble.Thanks for your sharing
I love it! I love how stiff the models are. And Swing Princess Swing is just scary. Loving her frock though!