nostalgic
It's 1936, and Carole Lombard is renowned as one of the style queens of filmdom. The Conde Nast-owned Hollywood Pattern Co., which since 1932 had sold patterns inspired by movie stars, already had used her image on packages of previous patterns, and does it again with pattern 1366:
Maybe it's me, perhaps it's the striped design drawn on the package, but seeing that conjures images not of Lombard, but Myrna Loy's famed party dress from "The Thin Man":
But let's get back to the pattern for this gown. The package describes it as a "One-piece evening frock in instep or shorter length. The seven-gored flared skirt is joined to the bodice by a wide stomacher section, which is trimmed with ribbon. Shoulder bands continue to the backless décolletage and are ribbon trimmed. Fabrics -- Chiffon, net, silk lace, cotton lace, eyelet batiste, novelty cotton, taffeta, silk crepe, chintz." As someone whose mother used patterns for her own creations during much of the 1960s, the design possibilities are plentiful.
It's listed as a "size 14," which I understand equates to a modern size 2, for a woman whose measurements are approximately 32-26-35. (As has often been noted, on the whole, women in the 1930s were petite by today's statuesque standards.)
The pattern is said to be in "excellent, like-new condition, and includes full instructions."
I know many of you are into vintage fashion, and this pattern can wonderfully replicate 1930s style a la Lombard or Loy. And it's being auctioned at eBay, with an opening price of $39. Bidding concludes at 2:41 p.m. (Eastern) Sunday. Want to bring the '30s look to your wardrobe? Go to http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-1930s-Vintage-Evening-Gown-Dress-Pattern-Old-Hollywood-Carole-Lombard-/231031576528?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&hash=item35ca8e17d0 to bid or find out more.
