Remodelling Clothes in Wartime

A fascinating article by  a woman who worked in London department store
during the Second World War.
Home Chat magazine January 17th 1942


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1939 Couture Crochet Blouse Pattern

Stunning but complicated blouse made up of flower medallions.


Woman's Fair June 1939. Click for Big/Instructions


Woman's Fair June 1939. Click for Big/Instructions

Handley-Seymour Coronation Robes 1937

Couturier and Court Dressmaker, Mme Handley-Seymour's Coronation room in April 1937. Showing the embroidery of the Queen's Coronation robes.


Weekly Illustrated April 3rd 1937. Click for Big



Weekly Illustrated April 3rd 1937. Click for Big


Weekly Illustrated April 3rd 1937. Click for Big


The Sphere Coronation Record Number 1937

1940s Hollywood Stars in Colour #8

Number eight in a series of colour photographs

Queen of Camp - Maria Montez

Do you suffer from SOD* ?

It all began when I was 6 or 7 with these.


Pink boottees with a gold fringe, just perfect for infants school.


Then there were these red and green buckle shoes


Need them all.


I too was desperate for some elves of my own, nor would I have given them clothes. Everyone in Yorkshire knows if you give hobs a gift of clothes you never see them again.

*Shoe Obsession Disorder is a well known malady affecting at least
70% of women.

Shoe Styles Spring 1952

All the adverts are scanned fom Vogue.

Synthetic Couture 1954

By the mid 50s even the most exclusive couturiers were experimenting with synthetic fabrics.
Nylon, the wonder fabric, was made into everything from stockings to fur coats, synthetic silk gowns to the more practical 20% in wool suits to give extra wear.


I definately WOULD! Vogue December 1954 Click for Big