Sweater sets and dresses.

LolitaHaze · Sep 10, 2013

It has been about a decade and a half since my last FL posting... I swear I used the search button to find this topic, but didn't see a thing, so if it already exists, I can't believe that it doesn't, please merge.

I love sweater sets and dresses. I own 4 vintage sets (30s-50s) and have one I plan on making from some knitted lace fabric I bought many moons ago for the very intention. Being that autumn is right around the corner here in Wisconsin, I wanted to dress up and complete the look with accessories. Now accessories are not my strong point. I love hats so I know I want to wear hats with the outfit, but I am having a heck of a time finding wartime 40s sweater dress/set images wearing hats. There are plenty of 30s pictures wearing hats, but sadly, or not, my hair is too long right now to achieve a proper 30s style with the close fitting hats of the 30s. What about other accessories? How can I spruce up my sweater sets from looking plain?

Most importantly... share your photos of your sweater sets! I'd love to see them and your look and get inspired!

Miss Sis · Sep 15, 2013

It is more 30s, but I love wearing berets with my knit sets, since they are more casual. I have also seen pics of 40s knit dresses worn with tilted felt hats (but these are mostly the pattern photos).

I have just moved and all my things are in storage, so I can't post any pics at the moment.

Idledame · Sep 21, 2013

If you google "patterns 1940s sweater set" most are shown without a hat. But on the few that show some sort of hat they are generally something casual, small and close fitting. Flowers in your hair give a 40s look, and are easy to find. I agree that berets would look great. I found these pictures:

newtovintage · Sep 22, 2013

Idledame, I do believe that the last photo you posted is a 1930s look, the shape seems off for 1940s, IMHO. But all are great examples of sweater sets.

Idledame · Sep 23, 2013

I agree it looks 30s but I was looking for any kind of hat!

sheeplady · Sep 24, 2013

Do you own any sweater clips?

If you don't, one of the things I found helpful is to make them from other jewelry I don't wear. What I use is old clip earrings, which are too tough on my ears to wear. I use a section of chain and some jewelry wire to connect the two earrings together. Then one of the backs of the earrings can go through the top buttonhole and the other earring can clip to the other side of the sweater.

swinggal · Sep 24, 2013

I have this amazing late 40s set for sale in my Etsy store. PM me is you are interested

Bought it for myself but it didn't fit

LisaSmuts · Sep 27, 2013

Oh,..... that last 30s set, if only I had the patience to knit something like that.

george_frag · Oct 10, 2013

Of course, they look coming from another life, but fashion changes very often and maybe they will be in demand again in one day.

wahine · Oct 28, 2013

Sheeplady, that's such a great idea! Almost as you had it especially for me, since I've looking for a way to wear ear clips (can't wear them on my ears coz it hurts) and I also was looking for sweater clips which is awfully hard in Germany. Thanks so much for this creative idea!

You don't happen to have an idea what to do with my grandpa's cufflinks, too? I'd like to wear them somehow but not as cufflinks.

And since I don't want to be only OT, I found these - not strictly 40s, as well, but maybe still an inspiration.

(in case anyone is interested, I have the knitting instructions for all of them)

vintageTink · Oct 28, 2013

I love sweater sets but can't knit!

wahine · Oct 28, 2013

If you have a little patience, why don't you go ahead and learn it. It's not that hard, really. I'm a beginner myself and I feel SO proud after just having finished my first sweater. A real wearable garment, yay!

vintageTink · Oct 28, 2013

I tried! My stitches are always too tight and I end up with a ton more than I started with.

Heather · Oct 28, 2013

vintageTink said:
I tried! My stitches are always too tight and I end up with a ton more than I started with.

Yeah, I always end up with holes(dropped stitches, I think. I know there's a way to remedy it but have yet to master it) My mother-in-law taught me about 7 years ago but the most I can create is a scarf lol I love to crochet though! My mom taught me how to do that 13 or 14 years ago. I'm currently work on a table cloth. I'd love to be able to knit something more complicated*sigh*

wahine · Oct 28, 2013

haha, that happened to me, too.

plus, I almost killed myself with the needles, somehow I managed to fling them high in the air, so at least one of the needles hit the wall, ceiling, my eye... That almost made me give up, but now I'm happy I kept on trying.
My stitches are still too tight, but nowadays I end up with the same amout of stitches that I started with (btw, it's better to gain than to lose stitches). It's good to choose a light color wool, and mind that it's not fluffy /fleecy or anything. Like, a regular straight cotton, that makes it easier to see what you do.

vintageTink · Oct 28, 2013

I can crochet; too bad there aren't any crochet sweater sets patterns!

Heather · Oct 28, 2013

vintageTink said:
I can crochet; too bad there aren't any crochet sweater sets patterns!

I know, right?!

wahine · Oct 29, 2013

Aren't there?
Check these out: http://freevintagecrochet.com/women.html
http://freevintagecrochet.com/crochet-pattern/coat-patterns
http://www.antiquecrochetpatterns.com/crochet-ribbon-jacket.html
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/ladcrocarswe.html
http://picasaweb.google.com/1108541...llinoisUSA?gsessionid=YhC12HQ7LGLQIPuvZloW1w#
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/art...id=YhC12HQ7LGLQIPuvZloW1w#5479274919571062226
Not as much as knitting patterns, but can't say it's nothing...
(or maybe I misunderstood you and you are lookin for something different)

vintageTink · Dec 20, 2013

wahine said:
Aren't there?
Check these out: http://freevintagecrochet.com/women.html
http://freevintagecrochet.com/crochet-pattern/coat-patterns
http://www.antiquecrochetpatterns.com/crochet-ribbon-jacket.html
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/ladcrocarswe.html
http://picasaweb.google.com/1108541...llinoisUSA?gsessionid=YhC12HQ7LGLQIPuvZloW1w#
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/art...id=YhC12HQ7LGLQIPuvZloW1w#5479274919571062226
Not as much as knitting patterns, but can't say it's nothing...
(or maybe I misunderstood you and you are lookin for something different)

Those are terrific!

LolitaHaze · Dec 21, 2013

Just checking back in!! Sadly I didn't get to wear my sets as much as I wanted to (and no darn pictures either). Is everyone else enjoying the cozy sets now that the weather is chilly??

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