'working clothes' question

• Sep 4, 2010

• #1

TexasTawny001

New in Town

Messages

41

Location

Texas,USA

Hi ladies!

I'm kind of new to the vintage thing. I've always had several inpired & authentic pieces but just REALLY got into it recently.

I try to dress modest & feminine whenever possible, so vintage is GREAT!

I have several 'odd jobs' and one is helping a family member with the family farm during the busier seasons. In my 'regular working day' at home or tutoring or what not I wear vintage house dresses or something to that effect.

I'd really like to put together something vintage & 'working appropriate'. I tried a culotte dress & it was far from modest in actual use! For now it's tshirts & jeans or shorts with a vintage scarf ties around my head like a bow. But I want something different!!

I've been trying to find what 'factory girls' & other working ladies wear during WWII with little Luck!

I'd love to here suggestions!!!

For example: I know I want to try snoods (the smaller ones) with a bow rather than always a ponty tale or twist.

Links & pictures appreciated!!

 

• Sep 4, 2010

• #2

SayCici

Practically Family

Messages

813

Location

Virginia

Have you tried overalls?

 

• Sep 4, 2010

• #3

Honey Bee

One of the Regulars

Messages

204

Location

Northern California

Yes, overalls are great!
While this is not really WWII wear...or maybe...?
I have barn animals to tend to each day and have lived in the country for 30 years now. Maybe they aren't vintage (then again maybe they are they have been around for so long!) but I like the Original Slim Fit Wranglers for MEN... they don't sit as high as women's Wranglers and have a nice fit in the thighs. I pair them with a plaid blouse (wool or flannel when it's colder), I roll the bottoms up just a bit and wear leather ankle boots when it's dry, Wellie's when it's wet out. A good bandana for tying up my hair...I am currently looking for a flannel or wool plaid chore coat like the one my grandpa bought me as a kid...yeah, I thought it ugly and it's long gone...dumb kid :eusa_doh:

No complaints from the barnyard yet.....

Do you think that some of those woman in the above picture might have been wearing mens' shoes?

 

• Sep 4, 2010

• #4

TexasTawny001

New in Town

Messages

41

Location

Texas,USA

Overalls! That's so obvious!! I feel silly for not thinking of that!!:eusa_doh:

 

• Sep 4, 2010

• #5

Puzzicato

One Too Many

Messages

1,843

Location

Ex-pat Ozzie in Greater London, UK

This thread http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=40592 has an amazing collection of pictures of actual, regular women going about their business in the Era. Lots of practical clothes.

 

• Sep 4, 2010

• #6

BoPeep

Practically Family

Messages

637

Location

Pasturelands, Wisc

In Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s (excellent source book!), there are quite a few patterns showing overalls and jumpsuits (think one-piece mechanics' coveralls with long or short sleeves) intended to be worn in the factories and on the farms. A lot of jumpers and coverall aprons too. Over the summer I did most of my barn chores and gardening in my cotton shirtwaist dresses though. It was cooler than overalls, and they seem to wash up fine. However, winter will require some wool coveralls! Must get sewing!

 

• Sep 4, 2010

• #7

LizzieMaine

Bartender

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33,055

Location

Where The Tourists Meet The Sea

I think a lot of Rosie-the-Riveter types wore ordinary men's denim or herringbone overalls for factory work -- they were whatever the factory had on hand, and it's unlikely they'd go out and buy new ones for the women. The Army had a women's version of a worksuit, which differed from the men's version in that it was broader in the beam and had a button flap that dropped down in the back for convenience -- it's possible there were civilian versions of this that some women might have gotten for workwear.

As for shoes, there were plenty of sturdy housewife oxfords that would have been suitable for work -- everything from nurse shoes to saddles would have shown up, as can be seen in the pic.

Personally, I have a suit of old herringbone-denim gas station overalls I wear when I do heavy work. I have to roll up the legs and the sleeves to get them to fit, but otherwise they're fine. I did, however, take off the patch on the front that said "Ralph."

 

• Sep 5, 2010

• #8

fuzzylizzie

One of the Regulars

Messages

172

Location

Beautiful WNC

Many farm girls wore a lightweight cotton overall. You could buy them, and the pattern companies released patterns.

http://fuzzylizzie.bravejournal.com/entry/28965

 

• Sep 5, 2010

• #9

TexasTawny001

New in Town

Messages

41

Location

Texas,USA

Thanks for the great info!!

I love my day dresses for gardening & whatnot but they are just not very modest or practical on a tractor!!

Coveralls & overalls sound like a GREAT alternative!! Thanks!!

 

• Sep 6, 2010

• #10

M

melancholy baby

New in Town

Messages

18

Location

Seattle

I cast my vote for overalls.

Also rubber farm boots and a pretty bandana.

 

• Sep 8, 2010

• #11

Miss sofia

One Too Many

Messages

1,675

Location

East sussex, England

Agreed, i work on a farm one day a week, last week we were putting some sheep through the dip, so it was wellington boots, headscarf, and waterproof overalls time. I like the rosie riveter look anyway, as well as being practical, so i wear dungarees and a light cotton mans shirt for summer, with a pretty headscarf and a thick wool check mans shirt with dungarees for winter, wool or tweed cap and thermals, (lots of layers, instead of bulk works for me). Oh and thick woollen socks are always a must too! I just always slap on a bit of red lippie and job done!