Many of you have read my post on “The Skirt Suit” which is a Fall Fashion trend (and a 1940s favorite look of mine). Other trending Fall fashions that fit perfect into my vintage blog, is PLAID. Which btw I LOVE!
1950s Photo of a Mother in a plaid dress with little boy.
Source: eBay
1952 vintage yearbook photo from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University of a young couple walking together on campus. Our young woman is wearing a fantastic long plaid jacket. Love it!
Source: digitalnc.org
According to Gabrielle Arruda blog…
“For this fall trend think plaid blouses, dresses, and blazers, all with a unique silhouette twist.”.
Well friends, I will bring you that twist (because we all know that vintage styles had the best silhouettes) with a look into vintage (and reproduction) plaid styles (1930’s to 1950’s) that will 100% make you the most stylish of all!
1930’s to 1950’s Plaid Fashions For Women
Vintage Sewing Pattern Fashion Illustrations & Real Life Plaid Fashions
Updated: Feb 2024 because Plaid is fantastic anytime (trending or not trending in fashion).
NOTE: I have started a “Vintage Fall Fashion Collection” on Etsy that is updated monthly of items you can purchase right now!
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, Unique Vintage, RocknRomance Vintage & Collectif are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Note: If an item you clicked on is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites featured are updated daily with new products, so just do a search for like items. Happy Shopping!
What a STUNNER of a 1940’s Plaid Cotton Dress. WOW! I would give anything to be the size to be able to wear this beauty.
Source: Etsy – 40sReenacted
A lovely 1940s plaid day dress. It features a shawl collar with beautiful button down closure, massive hip pockets and a full breezy skirt!
Source: Etsy
A cozy 1940s 49er style jacket. It features large plaid in red and grey. Silver buttons fasten down the front and the cuffs. It has shoulder pads and great back.
Source: Etsy
From House Of Envy via Etsy: Quarantine fashion at it’s finest. Embroidered rayon plaid 1930s style day-dress (not vintage fyi) with nautical style capelet and kick pleat for ease of movement while taking those morning walks and evening strolls. Matching 3-ply, washable face covering to complete your 2020 look.
Source: Etsy
1930s Vintage Sewing Pattern featuring overalls (which you can make in a plaid pattern like seen below), trousers & jacket for women. Love these looks!
Note: Any design on a pattern can be made with plaid.
Source: The Vintage Pattern Shop
1930s cotton voile plaid dress in white with red and blue lines via Etsy. This is a dress that is meant to be worn indoors (at least right now in Canada) or if you live where it currently warm it would be perfect for a picnic or a small garden party. Stunner!
Source: Etsy
A statement jacket is a MUST for Fall and when it’s plaid and a 1930s style, you can’t go wrong. Check out this stunner of a jacket on the right on this 1930s vintage sewing pattern for a skirt, blouse & coat.
Souce: The Vintage Pattern Shop
1930s Knitting Pattern- Plaid Button Up Cardigan and Skirt via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1940s Plaid Wool Mustard Yellow Tailored Suit Jacket (Blazer) with Pockets via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
Make your own, back to school 1940s style look! LOVE the plaid Skirt Suit for our college student on the left. This was found in a 1940s pattern book, Berth Robert Women’s Fashion Catalog for Back to School & Fall Fashions. 16 Pages of Sewing Pattern Designs and Fashion Illustrations. See more of the fashion designs HERE.
Source: Etsy
Stunning yellow, pink, black and white plaid cotton 1940s dress with luscious full tiered skirt and generous ruffle at the neck that doubles as a capelet sleeve or can be worn off the shoulder via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
1940s Plaid Shirt Jacket (Blazer) / 49er Button Up Cruiser Coat via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
Yellow and Brown Plaid Print Wool 1940s Day Dress via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
1949 Ladies’ Suit Pattern Vest (in plaid), Blouse, Slim Skirt, Short Lined Cape via Etsy. Fantastic!
Source: Etsy
‘NANCY FROCK’ Dan River wrinkl-shed 1940s/ 1950s Cotton Plaid Dress via Etsy. I own a couple of versions of this dress and it’s a fantastic piece to have in your collection.
FURTHER READING: The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940s and 1950s
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1930s 1940s Rayon Jersey Plaid Gown (so pretty!) via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
1954 Fall Issue French Fashion Pattern Book featuring plaid dress & matching cape on the cover. Take a look inside (here) for 16 pages of 1950s styles in Black & White and Color plus 20 pages of text & patterns.
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1950s day dress features a gorgeous over-sized collar. Made by Spector and Shanler in soft blue plaid cotton fabric with shades of purple, maroon and green via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
1955 sewing pattern for women’s 1950s blouses. Love the plaid blouse on the left. So perfect for Fall!
Source: The Vintage Pattern Shop
Vintage 1950s cotton shirt dress by Minx Modes. This vintage dress features a wonderful plaid print throughout via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
Now here are examples of ‘Vintage Style’ clothing that comes in all sizes & styles in plaid prints. Updated as of July 2023.
RocknRomance (this UK website has lots and lots of various items in plaid or plaid like prints. The screen shot is just a tiny example of what they have)
Unique Vintage (this USA website has lots and lots of various items in plaid or plaid like prints. The screen shot is just a tiny example of what they have).
Collectif (this UK website has lots and lots of various items in plaid or plaid like prints. The screen shot is just a tiny example of what they have)
I have to say, I think all the vintage fashions showcased above fit the bill of a “unique silhouette”. Don’t you agree?
Question Time! Do you love plaid as much as I? If yes, please share what your favorite item is, in the comments section below.
Further Reading:
Liz
Love this!
Hello Liz, I finally found something that is not red or green as every time plaid comes back, it’s mostly those two kind that show up. Vintage looking and pink!
https://m.simons.ca/fr/vetements-femme/jupes/midi/la-jupe-crayon-carreaux-vintage–13736-200315?colourId=65&catId=6707
Hi Liz, I have a great plaid Arrow shirt in yellow and black that I love.
It’s lasted from the late 1980s intact so far with only one button that needed replacement in all that time.
That is awesome! I love when a good item of a clothing is so well made, that it lasts forever. Thanks for sharing!
Liz