Smooth Sailing 1930s Trousers & 1930s Beach Hat

Two ladies in the 1930s sporting their trousers. 

Although my true love is the 1910s, I've decided that I need to branch out into other decades of the 20th century. One of my sisters is always trying to talk me into wearing trousers more often, and I finally followed her advice and ordered the Smooth Sailing 1930s Sports Togs Pattern from the wonderful Wearing History site. This pattern is wonderful, as it includes a blouse, trousers and shorts. 

What was thrilling to me was the simplicity & ease of the trousers pattern (I'm working on a blouse, but it's early days). I loved sewing them! And not only were they easy to make, but they are superbly comfortable as well!

There is an option of adding a cuff at the bottom, but I decided on a plain hem.

Did I mention how comfy they are?

I got out a vintage 1930s hat that I've had for ages, thinking it would be the perfect hat to go with these trousers. I am just realising, however, that although I got closeups in the hat, I don't have a full-view photo of the hat with the trousers. Silly me! 

I love these sunglasses too - they can sort-of work for 1920s-40s. 

I found out from my fried Sarah that these hats are very rare, and usually not found in good condition. I am lucky to have one! 

I tried to find pictures of hats that might be like mine. Look at those great beach pyjamas! 

I love those sunglasses of Bette Davis's

Look at all those jolly trousers! Plus that yellow hat on the bottom could be like mine, as it has that under-the-chin strap.

The cool thing about the hat is that with a wee twist it folds up. So handy & easy to carry about! 

Clothing Collection: 1910s National Cloak & Suit Co. Blouse

A page from the National Cloak & Suit Company Summer 1913 catalogue.

Last year I discovered a 1910s blouse in a local vintage clothing shop and fell in love. My brother & sister-in-law amazingly and very kindly bought it for me. The style of it is very similar to a pattern I have, and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to study it and perhaps make a copy of it some day. 

My lovely sister who tried on the beautiful blouse.

A view of the back.

A close-up of the delicate, dove-grey lace.

A close-up of the sleeve. The buttons are velvet! 

Another glimpse of the lace, blue silk and velvet buttons on the shoulder.

Boning in the collar to help it stand up!

Covered buttonholes. 

The inside of the blouse, showing the part of the waist that would be tucked into the skirt. 

A larger view of the inside of the blouse.

What is unique and exciting about this blouse is that it came with a tag! National Cloak & Suit Company, New York! 

There is a summer catalogue available to download on Wearing History's Etsy Shop. I was hoping that my blouse might be pictured in the catalogue. It wasn't, but I was glad to be able to see what sort of things they offered to women in the 1910s. And more than likely, my blouse dates from around 1913 to 1914. It is a delicate, well made and crafted thing of beauty and I am glad to have it in my collection and to be able to learn from it.