6 Reasons Vintage Suits Trump Modern Suits (and Giveaway Winners!)

Flashback Summer: 6 Reasons Vintage Suits Trump Modern Suits - Midvale Cottage

Lately I've been on a major suit kick.  I just swapped for my first vintage suit at a vintage store a couple weekends ago, I'm in the process of making one, and I love drooling over pictures of them on pattern envelopes and fashion ads.  It is my belief that in the area of women's suits, vintage completely kicks modern-day options in the face.

Just what is it that makes vintage suits so fantastic?  I will tell you, using vintage patterns as illustrations.  You know what's even better?!  All of the vintage patterns are available for purchase now at Midvale Cottage Etsy Shop, so you could actually have a vintage suit for your very own!

Flshback Summer: 6 Reasons 1930s-1960s Suits Pone Modern Suits - Midvale Cottage

1.  Vintage suits accentuate the waist.  {1950s Suit}
Modern suits sort of do this, but not to the same effect as a good 1950s or 1960s suit.  Even without foundation garments, the cut, styling, seam designs, and fabric of vintage suits accentuate the waist in a way very few modern suits do.

Flshback Summer: 6 Reasons 1930s-1960s Suits Pone Modern Suits - Midvale Cottage 1940s Suit

2.  Vintage suits can be extremely fabric-efficient.  {1940s Suit}
Especially suits from the 30s and 40s!  The suit I made for my wedding (which is actually an entire sundress underneath, not just a skirt!) took only a little over TWO YARDS of fabric!  Try THAT with a modern suit pattern!

Flshback Summer: 6 Reasons 1930s-1960s Suits Pone Modern Suits - Midvale Cottage 1950s Suit

3.  Vintage suits give you options.  {1950s Suit}
They often include lots of separates, different ways to wear a collar or cuffs, or other easy-to-change features.  Vintage designers realized suits need to be versatile, and what lady doesn't like having more options when it comes to a clothing item?

Flshback Summer: 6 Reasons 1930s-1960s Suits Pone Modern Suits - Midvale Cottage

4.  Vintage suit silhouettes have stood the test of time.  {1960s Suit}
If a suit design still seems good to your modern eye, it's probably a good design.  We've had decades to look back and decide which suit designs are truly timeless, and the shape of vintage suits (especially those of the 50s and 60s) continue to reappear in modern designs.

Flshback Summer: 6 Reasons 1930s-1960s Suits Pone Modern Suits - Midvale Cottage

5.  Vintage suits are higher quality.  {1960s Suit}
Whether following a vintage pattern or buying a vintage suit, they include tailoring details and techniques not often found in modern suits, such as bound buttonholes.  Vintage suits that have survived until today are their own testament to quality!

Flshback Summer: 6 Reasons 1930s-1960s Suits Pone Modern Suits - Midvale Cottage 1930s Suit

6. Vintage suits have unique details.  {1930s Suit}
Modern suits can't even compete with vintage ones in the details department.  Whether utilizing buttons, creative seams, pleats, drapes, fabric, or color, vintage suits take the cake on unique details!

What are some of your favorite things about vintage suits?  Do you own any suits you especially love?

Lastly, here are the winners of the Giant Two Year Anniversary Giveaway!
Shopping Prize: Lee Cate
Blogger Prize: Sam
Seller Prize: Tanith
Hair Prize: Amanda
Accessories Prize: Alecia
Tinkering & Ties Prize: Angie

Winners should have an email from me in their inbox at the email address they used for the giveaway!  All the info you need to claim your prize is there!

Midvale Cottage is a sponsor of Flashback Summer for the month of October, and this is a sponsored post.

16 comments

  1. Oh, I love this post. I am obsessed with vintage suits in all fabrics, shapes, and eras. A person just looks so classy while wearing one! 1940's suits are definitely my favorite, but I would love to own a 30's one as well.

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    1. Oooo, me too! 1930s suits are hard to come by, but I'm hoping maybe I could get a pattern and make one up some day!

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  2. I love how vintage suits look. I don't have any since i don't have a job that I would need to wear a suit to, and it would be too constricting. But it is too bad they don't come back in fashion. Although suits for men and women was fading out.

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    1. It's so true; I'm sad suits are going out of fashion for most people. I will never let suits die!

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  3. What a great collection of suits! I have noticed that vintage suit patterns are easily as common as vintage dress patterns, and for good reasons (all of which you list in your post! :D). No reason to not have a crisp suit for afternoon and office occasions that fits well and looks fabulous. An excellent post, Emileigh, well done!

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    1. And that's what I'm working on! I love vintage suits, but it's a bit tricky to find one that fits my size and budget, and I'm finding sewing my own is a great option!

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  4. Vintage suits are the bee's knees and then some. Though I do find that they're considerably harder for me to have fit "right off the rack" than most vintage clothing, when they do - with the help of a tailor - the way they work on my short, curvy frame is unmatched, IMO. I'm so happy that the cold weather is here again and I can slip into my beloved collection of 40s and 50s suits. Year after year, they're amongst my favourite garments and I love finding new ways to accessorize and sport them.

    Fabulous post - and points, dear gal!

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. I also have that problem. I just got my first vintage suit that actually *almost* fit me, and with a bit of hemming I think it will be perfect! I have problems with the bust and shoulder area being too big, but usually the waist is just right. I'm amazed at the one I just bought though! I think it's a late 40s, early 50s suit (I'll post it and ask for dating help!) and even though my hips are about 4 inches bigger than my bust, they look narrow in this suit! It has the quintessential "big shoulders, narrow hips" look of the 40s.... even though I have small shoulders and larger hips! Talk about sewing magic!

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  5. I just found your blog and I'm in love! I really enjoyed reading this post--it was uplifting and drool worthy. I totally agree, modern suits are so boring and unflattering in comparison!

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    1. Oh good, I'm glad you like it, Gabriela! I hope to hear from you on the blog again!

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  6. Many times I wish I could go back in time and experience what it would have been like to have a vintage suit tailored specifically to my personal frame. Can you imagine shopping at one of these exclusive shops and having them tailor a suit for you? The good thing is that we can get the quality of these suits at prices we can afford today. It can be hit or miss finding the right vintage suit but if you have your measurements, it can work quite well. I have not had a vintage suit altered yet. Not to say that I wouldn't but I would think that the jacket could be complicated so given the plethora of vintage suits out there, if the jacket does not fit how I like or if the skirt is not a given length I like, I pass the suit on to someone it might look better on. I've had a lot of great luck with vintage suits and they really can't compare to a modern suit. Before I had children, I dressed up daily with dresses and professional suits for work and they never felt like a vintage suit. Vintage suits are art:) I have no idea if I'll get to making one myself as they look rather complicated. Lovely post, right up my alley:)

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    1. ME TOO! I have totally wished that as well! I haven't had a vintage suit altered either, although I think I'm going to raise the hem on one I just got. It's far too long for me, and everything else fits. I'm going to see if there's any way to do it so the hemming could be reversed back to the original length, but I'm afraid it may be too bulky. I'll have to see!
      I'm working on a 1940s suit right now, and although it is a tiny bit complicated, it's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be! I'm sure it depends on the pattern, but not all suits are difficult to sew!

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    2. Technically, one could still do that! There are tailors and seamstresses that are able to do this (as evidenced by how many people make their own beautiful vintage suits). The problem is that the price point is generally prohibitive -- and they were equally expensive back then, but people EXPECTED good clothing to be expensive and bought it to last.

      But if it's something that you want and can budget/save up for, go for it! Custom-designed clothing is magical in a way that very few things are.

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  7. I don't own a vintage suit, but I'm constantly on the look-out for one. They're not easy to find in the vintage shops around here. Lovely post, Emileigh!

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  8. I currently have my first suit in the makes right now. I'm so excited, suits are so versatile! I love these patterns, especially the 1950's dress with an overskirt!

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  9. I too adore a vintage suit, and after looking for quite a while without any luck at all (curse you, hips!) I've come across a windfall of them in the last year that fit like a glove. I've just ordered one more (transitional styling, black wool felt with curly lamb accents) and I'm cautiously optimistic that it will be joining the ranks as another perfect-fitting option.

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