Need help with 1940's outfit

MysTique · 24-01-2006, 09:56

Wasn't really sure which section to put this in but anyway - I'm doing an event next month that requires me to dress '1940's' style.
Now I've got the shoes (totally impractical but nice), practised doing the Victory Roll on my hair, got my red lippy and eyebrow pencil ready but all I need now is an outfit.

I've tried ebay but keep getting outbid by 'professional bidders' who are obviously stocking their own vintage shops

...and breathe.... so no good there. The charity shops I've looked in tend to only have more modern clothes so I'm a bit stumped!
Does anyone know of any vintage clothes shops in Sheffield or failing that I'd have to try fancy dress or try and make something. As it's only for one evening I don't want to spend a fortune, so any suggestions extremely welcome.

dawny1 · 24-01-2006, 10:02

Yellow Pages page 637 - Party City based on Eccelsall Rd - they say in their ad Styles from every era - you could try them. Other than that give Owdlad a ring I am sure one of his lady friends could help you out!

sophiec1979 · 24-01-2006, 10:08

oooh, where are you going and what are you doing? that sound like fun.

i went to peek-a-boo at the runaway girl on saturday in a kinda 40's stylee- was a top night.

keep trying with the ebay thing, but maybe search for dress making patterns and take them to a dressmakers and get them to make it up for you?

the patterns are about a fiver or so on ebay, your fabric will cost as much as you want it to, and if you get it made up- youll know it will fit you perfectly.

then, you can always flog it on ebay afterwards to one of those collectors! lol

best of luck, but more importantly- have fun!

sophie
x

ps. dont forget your seamed stockings- theyre a must have!

flyer · 24-01-2006, 10:14

1940 war-time dress was very plain,with a bit difference north & south,hem below calf, sould still be able to buy new & cheap.Lot of war time movie's out to give you good idea what to look for.I don't think Ican let you have my wife's,at 65yrs old plenty of good life left in them.(joke)

MysTique · 24-01-2006, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawny1

Other than that give Owdlad a ring I am sure one of his lady friends could help you out!

Wonderful 'snort your coffee comment' Owdlad's gonna love you! Didn't think they had Netto in them days.
Sophie it's a swing concert I'm in at the City Hall (as in swing band not swinging

) I'm pretty good with the old needle and thread but i've got limited time, but I like your idea about selling it on ebay afterwards.

Oh and the seamed stockings - think I'll get someone to draw them on my legs

MysTique · 24-01-2006, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyer

I don't think Ican let you have my wife's,at 65yrs old plenty of good life left in them.(joke)

Aww Bless. Thanks for the tips Flyer, as the 40's were a bit before my time I'd like to get it as correct as possible. Useful suggestions thanks.

sophiec1979 · 24-01-2006, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysTique

Sophie it's a swing concert I'm in at the City Hall (as in swing band not swinging

) I'm pretty good with the old needle and thread but i've got limited time, but I like your idea about selling it on ebay afterwards.

Oh and the seamed stockings - think I'll get someone to draw them on my legs

lol! i took it to mean the proper way, not the new fangled way! lol

you can get the stockings cheap enough off ebay too- ive got a couple of good sellers saved in my favourites. if you want them, i can email them to you. although, drawing them on was the cheats option back then, so i dont see why it wouldnt work now.

are there still tickets left for the concert- whens it on? i love that type of music- im rubbish at dancing to it, but it doesnt stop me enjoying it!

sophie
x

flyer · 24-01-2006, 12:21

just remember no nylon 1940 ,the girls who couldn't afford pure silk would draw a line on back of legs to look like seams,(added bonus no suspenders)

MysTique · 24-01-2006, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyer

just remember no nylon 1940 ,the girls who couldn't afford pure silk would draw a line on back of legs to look like seams,(added bonus no suspenders)

Just have to imagine a nice American GI supplying me with silk stockings

Sophie I think the tickets have now gone on sale - it's the 25th Feb called Sing Swing. There's 125 singers plus the National Festival Orchestra Big Band so should be a good night if you like music from the Swing era.

genesiscouch · 24-01-2006, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiec1979

i went to peek-a-boo at the runaway girl on saturday in a kinda 40's stylee- was a top night.

What were you dressed as sophic1979? I was there also so trying to think who you would be

sophiec1979 · 24-01-2006, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysTique

Just have to imagine a nice American GI supplying me with silk stockings

id go with ebay- a lot less heartbreak than those pesky GI's! lol

will have to check out the city hall site, thats sounds like a really good night. i hope it wont clash with the next peek-a-boo. is it a seated concert or is it more of a dance? maybe i can get some lessons from some experts.

genesiscouch, i had on a black satin pencil skirt and corset, with a gold sequined shrug and a black and gold pill box hat with a veil. we spent most of the night up towards the stage end of the club- other than the obligatory bar runs- obviously! lol

what were you wearing?

sophie
x

MysTique · 24-01-2006, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiec1979

id go with ebay- a lot less heartbreak than those pesky GI's! lol

Too true!

It is a seated concert but dancing in the aisles most welcome.

flyer · 25-01-2006, 10:51

You'll need the big heavy shoulder pads nothing says 40s like them.Off subject it is our believe the very 1st nylons sold in U.K , came fm our market stall in Leicester,with the help fm the local rogues and a open factory window.At that time nylons made in Leicester where export only,but we believe english girls sould have same as american .HONEST!

Foxxx · 25-01-2006, 11:55

Why not buy a 1940s style pencil skirt. These are in the shops everywhere at the moment.

Dorothy Perkins have some for £20.

http://www.dorothyperkins.co.uk/promostores/dp/2006/

Look under smart skirts.

I guess it depends on what style you are going for but pencil skirts are very 40s. Wear a blouse and put rolls in your hair and your done!

Good Luck

hazel · 25-01-2006, 12:16

I think the rolls were called sweeps and they had little curls at the back, girls used to use gray browning on their legs and then draw the line up their legs.
I used to watch my aunts get washed and dressed and if you want to take it further underneath their dresses they wore camiknickers. a sort of all in top and skirt.
I have a photo of my aunt around that time but not sure I can get it on forum.

hazel

SimonS · 25-01-2006, 16:18

My friend runs The Sheffield Antiques Centre on Broadfield Lane (off Abbeydale Road) - They have tons of vintage clothes that are pretty reasonable......

genesiscouch · 25-01-2006, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiec1979

genesiscouch, i had on a black satin pencil skirt and corset, with a gold sequined shrug and a black and gold pill box hat with a veil. we spent most of the night up towards the stage end of the club- other than the obligatory bar runs- obviously! lol

what were you wearing?

sophie
x

Hmmm so much for my memory, can't think of any gold sequined shrugs

Ahh well, I was wearing a more or less pill box with short veil, black high necked/collared shirt, black skirt and fishnets. My partner had a grey fedora and dark grey suit (smoking a cigar). It was a great night out!

sophiec1979 · 25-01-2006, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by genesiscouch

Hmmm so much for my memory, can't think of any gold sequined shrugs

Ahh well, I was wearing a more or less pill box with short veil, black high necked/collared shirt, black skirt and fishnets. My partner had a grey fedora and dark grey suit (smoking a cigar). It was a great night out!

oooh, spooky! i do remember you- i think i nearly trod on your toes when we were watching ruby blues sing!

we were stood by the door upstairs to the loos, by the normal dj console.

a couple of really ignorant (unusual for there- everyones normally really chilled) blokes decided to try and push past me to get to the loos and i took a step back, narrowly avoiding your toes i think. sorry about that, i did apologise though- i hope! was a bit tiddly! lol

simon- cheers for the heads up on the shop- i feel a shopping trip coming on!

sophie
x

MysTique · 25-01-2006, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyer

Off subject it is our believe the very 1st nylons sold in U.K , came fm our market stall in Leicester,with the help fm the local rogues and a open factory window.At that time nylons made in Leicester where export only,but we believe english girls sould have same as american .HONEST!

Nice story flyer

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, some great information!
Foxx thanks for the link I'll have a look at those pencil skirts.

Hazel - I had heard about using the gravy browning or cold tea-bags? on the legs. Don't think my Bisto granules will have the same effect though.

Simon - I've seen the Antiques Centre on Broadfield Lane but never realised they did clothes too. Will definately take a look there (hand's off 'till i've been Sophie

) so appreciate you posting.

Looks like I've got a lot of browsing to do

MysTique · 05-02-2006, 21:28

Just wanted to say thanks to all for your suggestions - I now have an outfit

I was originally going to go for a tea-dress or uniform but have been persuaded to go for full-on glamour with an original 1940's ballgown, shawl and strappy sandals which are fantastic!

Thank you to Venger (and his mum) for their assistance and a HUGE thanks to Snook for helping me out.

Now all I need to do is go learn my words.....