I picked up this amazing fashion book online the other day and I just had to share some of it with all my lovely stout readers. It dates from 1943.
A PDF version is available for sale in my etsy store.
A PDF version is available for sale in my etsy store.
It covers everything from dresses to coats to gown to wedding dresses and accessories!
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| I'm not too sold on the bride rule. I actually like the 'don't' much more than the 'do'.  |
I love the do's and don'ts. Some are very smart ideas I wouldn't have thought about.
ReplyDeleteI like the do's AND the dont's! Apparently back then you were supposed to hide everything beneath a full skirt. Clothes were so flattering back then that I think you'd look great almost anything.
ReplyDeleteWhat a score!
I'm all about the suit-dresses but telling a girl to "hide" in them is a bit harsh!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Boy they didn't mince words did they? "Short, heavy blond, fat round face", really weren't about building up anyone's self esteem. But some of the tips so seem to make sense. I'd love to have a copy of this book. Let us know when you begin to sell it in your shop, please.
ReplyDeleteI do love these tips! What a great little book!
ReplyDeleteHaha, that little fat blonde could be me, except I seem to wear all the don'ts more than the dos!
ReplyDelete(Edited for poor grammar!)
I like many of the Don't pictures, too. I think it's just my frame of reference. Nowadays, it's cool to flaunt your curves (thank goodness!)
ReplyDeleteIt's a nearly 50 page book and a lot of the tips are really, really good. A lot of them are tips I have made myself. I do agree with that evening gown suit, though. It make the gal look like a pepper shaker.
ReplyDeleteBut the booklet is not that big a fan of belts for plump gals. I am, so we differ there, too!
Wonderful! Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteI would buy it.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that the booklet uses the words fat, plump, chubby, etc. I think now a days we sugar coat those words too much. Time to take back fat!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to wearing a negligees, to a guy it doesn't matter how it looks on you. He's just happy you're almost naked. So wear whatever makes you feel good.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. The pictures prove a point. The rules worked when women were more serious and formal in their attire. I'd like to go shopping with that guide and see what I could find. As stout women, we (some of us-me included) have become lazy with our appearance and complacent with what's offered in the stores. Being a good seamstress (or knowing a good one) helps to overcome the plight of being taken hostage by the 'plus size fashion industry'. I'm learning so much through this website.
ReplyDeleteI like how the "DO"s have her show off her assets a bit more- if you got it, baby, flaunt it!
ReplyDeleteThe negligee section cracked me up! That silly, floaty nightgown is adorable, especially they way they illustrated her flipping her ribbons around. No comparison to that stuffy shawl-collared robe.
ReplyDeleteAnd oh my goodness, I love the blonde "don't" from page 15 so much that at first, I thought she was the "do". She looks fierce as hell! I wonder why they specified the blonde hair, though. Were they saying brunettes and gingers could get away with that look?
I also love that they use blunt words like stocky, hip-heavy, chubby, plump, fat. It helps you understand what they're talking about. These days, "plus size" has so many different meanings that it's almost useless as a descriptor. Do they mean busty? Full belly? Big ol' booty?
Me too, I love the negligee with the floating ribbons. So sexy! (titled "If plumpish..."). The "do" is reading a book. And the next page Turkish-style pants and belt, so cute.
DeleteI disagree with quite a few of the don'ts, especially the night gown and the wedding gown. But I often disagree with such advice now too. Flaunt the curves! Wear the prints!
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