1930s Inspired



The 1930s is one of my favorite eras, especially for pants.  Pants had really just become barely acceptable for women to wear (especially off the beach) in the U.S., and many designers were still modeling pants after skirts, not menswear.  This gave the trousers a loose fit and (by today's standards) a ridiculous long rise.

Lauren over at Wearing History has a fantastic post on an overview of pants history to explain all these things!

Some designers made menswear-inspired trousers for women, but many women just wore men's trousers instead, like the fabulous Marlene Dietrich!


What I love about these 1930s trousers is that they aren't skin tight, they aren't even fitted at all in some cases.  But they're still so dang fabulous.  It's like the 30s were saying, "I don't have to show off every curve I've got to be attractive.  In fact, I'll hide a bunch of them and wear it with so much sass and glamour that it will only make the mystery that much more appealing."  Of course, it doesn't hurt if it's worn with a backless shirt!


So, I decided to take a 1940s trouser pattern I have a tweak it a bit for a looser 1930s style.  The only change I made was to sew the pleats to end right at the waistband instead of lower down like the pattern intended, and I rather like the effect!

I used a 100% cotton, flannel-like fabric, so it feels like pajamas... That I can wear to work!

Sure, pleats at the waist aren't the most ideal thing for accentuating one's shape, but sometimes there's a classic-cool appeal that just can't be denied.  I like these trousers and that's all there is to it!




Outfit details
shirt: F21
necklace: gifted
1930s hat: flea market
sweater: JC Penney?
pants: Simplicity 4362

Also, I am working on another blog anniversary giveaway like the one I did last year!  I'm planning to start it in mid-October.  If you'd like to partner with me to promote your shop/blog/services to my readers, just let me know!  I'd love to work with you!

11 comments

  1. This is fabulous! That looks like Kaufman's Shetland flannel--I have some to make winter skirts this year, and it is great! I have grey and cinnamon, and I can't wait to work with it--it is so soft!!

    Fabulous pants, and the new pleats work great. This whole outfit is swoon-worthy. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It IS SO SOFT! A winter skirt would be fantastic for it as well!

      Delete
  2. That looks amazing! In general, I'm envious of your 1940s pants.... back to the pattern drafting board for me in hopes of a properly-fitting pair of trousers before the year is out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can do it! These took several tries (before making the original brown pair I posted a couple days back), but you WILL figure it out, and you will be able to make lots of trousers when you do!

      Delete
  3. Beautiful photographs and thank you for the history lesson on 30s trousers. I love beach pajamas from the 30s and the fluidity of movement they offer. It's so nice to see you tackling the history when you also make your garments. You did a wonderful job creating your pants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Joanna! I love 1930s beach pajamas, but I don't own any. I'm hoping to get some patterns and make my own!

      Delete
  4. This THIS is why I would love to learn how to sew. I am so style-desperate for a pair of trousers like these and I'm convinced they don't exist anywhere in this day in age unless I were to make them myself. These are beautiful trousers and you look beautiful in them. I think the pleats are great because the pants are loose-it was the tapered pants of the 80's that made pleats horrible, haha. Your hair, makeup, and accessories are all swoon-worthy too-there are just so many things I could find to complement! I will just take my leave saying that you are gorgeous head to toe :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is why I learned to sew, too! The stuff I wanted I couldn't find, was out of my budget, or not my size. You won't regret learning to sew, I guarantee it!
      And you're so right, the 80s really left a bitter taste in society's mouth when it comes to pleats. I'm glad these pleats work!

      Delete
  5. These look great. It was really interesting to read how you adjusted the pattern to get the look that you wanted.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Everything is perfect! The pants, the blouse, the sweater, the necklace, and the hat - oh, the HAT - I love it. What a fabulous flea market find. Great ensemble, Emileigh, it looks so comfortable and you look so wonderful in it. Thanks, too, for the link to Wearing History. Lauren's blog is great, a true treasure trove, I have been following it for years. Thanks for this inspiring post about 1930s fashion - it's one of my favorite vintage fashion eras. :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oooo I like both versions of this pant! Great job!

    ReplyDelete