The Sophistique Noir theme for April is vintage, so I wanted to share two of the vintage garments I own and one that I sewed. I love the look of vintage garments, but given that modern RTW garments don't fit my odd shape, I don't own all that many. The benefit of sewing your own vintage repo garments is that they'll actually fit.This jumper (US English)/pinafore (British English) is Simplicity 3673 view A. The pattern doesn't give an exact year, but it does say 1950s retro. It does feature a good deal of darts, some gathering, a rear zipper, a back vent, and a little bow-belt thing (which I omitted). It was a bit finicky, so I would say this is probably an intermediate-level pattern.
The fabric I got on eBay an eternity ago; probably four or five yards for $15. I couldn't give an exact year I bought it, but I remember bidding on it using a Sidekick I or II. It features tiny little embroidered ghosts on a plaid-ish, and I believe it is cotton.This cowl-neck sweater was my mother's. She wore it as part of her uniform when she was in boarding school in England, so it is probably from the mid-60s. The fabric seems acrylic and in cold weather, I wear the jumper with the sweater, heavy tights, and boots. I suppose it isn't really vintage-accurate to combine the 50s and 60s, but I don't care because I'm warm. In spring and fall, I wear the jumper with regular tights, a long-sleeved shirt, and heels; a t-shirt and sandals completes the outfit when it's hot.
I am not sure what to call this other vintage garment. Is it a sleeveless jacket? It doesn't really seem like a top, so I guess sleeveless jacket is what we'll go with. The sleeveless jacket is lace covered with beads and has a synthetic lining. A separating zipper up the back serves as the closure.
This belonged to my grandmother. It was no tags, so I don't know what it is made from or where it came from. I am not all that versed in vintage clothing, but if I had to guess, I would say this came from the 70s. The lack of tags, plus the fact that the lace is quite similar to the standard one from JoAnn's, makes me wonder if someone made this for her. (She certainly did not make it for herself. She knitted and crocheted, but hated sewing. She started a club called I Hate Sewing which I did not join.) Due to the time period that I think this came from, if someone made it for her, it would probably have been my great aunt (her sister).I might also add that all the beads on this make it heavy as sin.
