1940s dress for reading

[robinsnest]

mandie_rw , miss_philomena , hiriami and I are going to the WWII airshow in Reading, PA this June (as in like two weeks better get moving here) and I've outgrown all my 40s wardrobe.

When I was at my mom's for easter she offered me a dress length of what feels like rayon (burn test was positive for either rayon or cotton I can't tell flame colors apart that well) which is idea for the no doubt 100 degree weather.



So I picked up three vintage patterns. Help me chose which!  


Option 1:




Pro of this one is it looks simple. Cons involve will it make me look like a linebacker in a dirndle.

Option 2:



Pros of this one: I think the shirring would be flattering, but would the skirt look like a loin cloth? cons: more complicated. aka sleeves.

Option 3



Pros: less gathering in the skirt. cons:  I like the construction standards of vogue better. 



I  did actually buy all three as they were all on sale. So vote and help a girl out!  What's your opinion?

Comments

[totchipanda]

I like the silhouette of #3 best, but I hate McCall's fitting with a fiery burning passion, so option #2 is my second choice.

[koshka_the_cat]

Three is my favorite.

I actually like number one a lot, but I have almost that dress in six colors, I think it is, so it reads really modern, but that's unique to me.

The lapels and shirring on number two make me tired thinking about doing them...

[mandie_rw]

NUMBER ONE! NUMBER ONE! *chants*

[elizabeth_mn]

I like #2 best. The center panel really reads as 40s.

Not a fan of #1. On a figure with any bust at all, under bust gathers are a slippery slope towards bag boobs.

[bauhausfrau]

I like 1 and 3 the best. I worry about all of what you worried about with 2.

I don't know if you've ruled these out already but I really like the lines of these simplicity patterns. The first one even looks a little like your fabric!

http://www.simplicity.com/simplicity-pattern-1587-misses-miss-petite-1940s-vintage-dress/1587.html#sz=30&start=282

http://www.simplicity.com/simplicity-pattern-8050-vintage-1940s-dress-pattern/8050.html#sz=30&start=166

[nuranar]

I much prefer #3.

#1 is quite a late/post war style, think 1945 and later. You may not care, but it is a bit limiting for LH. I am personally also not a fan of gathered-around skirts; it's usually quite unflattering on women with a significant waist/hip difference, since it creates a rectangle silhouette instead of a triangle. And it does look a little modern.

#2 is a very complicated pattern, and also a little later into the war; I think 1944. It will be tricky to alter if you don't fit the pattern. Also, IMHO, it will look best in a solid. The intricate cut and ruching will be invisible in your fabric. (Which is really lovely! I have a c. 1939 rayon challis dress with a similar-feel print.)

#3 is the most typical of the war years. It's basically a shirt dress, with good tailoring detail in the skirt and yokes. (Although the piecing on the first view is... odd. There are printed guides on how to combine two dresses into one, and that is not it.)

I haven't worked with either McCall or Vogue reissues, so I can't say for the ease of use. Purely for design, I'm all for the first THIRD one. Oh, and if you do #3, look into getting a covered buckle kit. They are still available in a few places; Wawak I believe had them last time I looked.

I like the ones Loren suggested, too. My favorite is the second (even more than the McCall); your fabric would look great with a white collar like in the illustration. Use a fine white cotton, or even buy a vintage one; plenty are available on Etsy. The first is good, too; also edging 1944/45.

Have fun! :)

[danabren]

#2 looks like it would only be flattering if you wore 3 girdles

#1 looks a little modern rockabilly to my eye

I say #3 for comfort, flattering style, and history

[brickhousewench]

That fabric is gorgeous.

I know I'm late to the party and you're probably already sewing, but I like #3 the best.