I picked up "The New Butterick Dressmaker" from the library a couple of weeks ago. It is from 1927 and is fascinating to read for its clues into the social and behavioral trends (or instruction/ideals) of America at that time. Here are a couple of gems:
On Maternity Clothes:
"Maternity clothes have two objects: One is to make your condition unnoticeable, the other is to give you every physical advantage possible. If your clothes make you feel conspicuous and awkward, you will shrink from going out and will suffer from a lack of exercise and legitimate amusement which would keep you in a happy, contented frame of mind..."
"At this time you do not want to be conspicuous in any way. You want to look as much like other women as possible so that there will be nothing to draw notice to you."
On Baby clothes:
"All baby clothes should be white, and as fine and dainty as possible. [...] A little baby must be kept absolutely clean, warm and dry. The layette given below is complete and large enough to keep a baby fresh and dainty if one can have constant laundry work done."
No comments:
Post a Comment