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.

1950s Vintage Photo of a young mother in a plaid 1950s dress holding up her child.

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!

1952 vintage yearbook photo from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University of a young Black couple walking together on campus. Our young Black woman is wearing a fantastic long plaid jacket. 1950s Fashion inspiratio

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: June 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 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.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s cotton plaid dress, yellow/chartreuse.

Source: Etsy – 40sReenacted

Gorgeous 1950s Emma Domb dress with Peekaboo Plaid (on the sides and on the peekaboo bustline).

Further Reading: Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Emma Domb

Gorgeous 1950s Emma Domb dress with Peekaboo Plaid (on the sides and on the peekaboo bustline).

Source: Etsy-VINTAGEVAVAVOOMZ

A lovely 1940s plaid day dress. It features a shawl collar with beautiful button down closure, massive hip pockets and a full breezy skirt!

1940s Fashion / Fall Outfit Inspiration: 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.

1940s Fashion / Fall Outfit Inspiration: 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.

1930s Style Plaid Day-Dress with Sailors Cape and matching Face Mask

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.

1930s Vintage Sewing Pattern -OVERALLS TROUSERS & JACKET Plaid Overalls

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!

1930s cotton voile plaid dress in white with red and blue lines. Self fabric waist ties. Ruffle neckline. Tiered sleeves. Mermaid hem. Open low V back. Garden party,tea dress, pick your occasion.

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.

1930s Vintage Sewing Pattern SKIRT, BLOUSE & COAT. Plaid womens jacket

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.

Vintage 1940s Blazer | 40s Plaid Wool Mustard Yellow Tailored Suit Jacket with Pockets

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.

1940s PATTERN BOOK Catalog, Berth Robert Women's Fashion Catalog, 16 Pages of Sewing Pattern Designs and Fashion Illustrations

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.

Stunning yellow, pink, black and white plaid cotton 40s 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.

Source: Etsy

1940s Plaid Shirt Jacket (Blazer) / 49er Button Up Cruiser Coat via Etsy.

1940s Plaid Shirt Jacket / 49er Button Up Cruiser Coat Rockabilly

Source: Etsy

Yellow and Brown Plaid Print Wool 1940s Day Dress via Etsy.

1940s fashion: Yellow and Brown Plaid Print Wool 1940s Day Dress

Source: Etsy

1949 Ladies’ Suit Pattern Vest (in plaid), Blouse, Slim Skirt, Short Lined Cape via Etsy. Fantastic!

1940s Fashion: 1949 Ladies' Suit Pattern
Simplicity 2753 Weskit Vest, Blouse,Slim Skirt, Short Lined Cape

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!

1955 women's blouse vintage sewing pattern featuring a plaid blouse in the illustration.

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)

RocknRomance 1940s and 1950s Vintage Style Clothing in plaid / Check patterns

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).

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:

Vintage Fall / Autumn 1920s-1960s Blog Posts (Archived)
Vintage Plaid Advertising, Fashions & More

Liz

It’s that time of the month again….It’s August Vintage Magazine Covers (and yes I did forget to do May-July and that was because well…..2020). BUT I’m back and ready to browse the magazines!

If you are a regular reader of my vintage blog, you know that I have started a “vintage magazine cover”series for each month. It’s been really fun, to see what was popular topics and images on these covers from the 1920s to the 1950s.

Let’s begin!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

July & August 1927 Dennison’s Party magazine: Decorations, Costumes, Games, Refreshments. “In this issue: Water Games & Sports, A Treasure Hunt, The Fourth of July Parade, A Garden Cabaret, The Children’s Party on the Lawn”.

Source: High Valley Books

Social, August 1920 featuring a very stylish woman in a 1920s swimsuit and jacket. Social was an illustrated monthly magazine that circulated in Cuba between 1916 and 1938. It was known for its quality and high artistic value.

Social, August 1920. Social was an illustrated monthly magazine that circulated in Cuba between 1916 and 1938. It was known for its quality and high artistic value. 1920s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Pinterest

“Toy Sailboat,” Saturday Evening Post Cover, August 1, 1925 by Charles A. MacLellan.

Source: Art.com

Vintage British Mabs Fashions magazine from August – October 1935, complete with the patterns for the garments illustrated on the front cover. Click HERE to see inside.

Vintage British Mabs Fashions magazine from August - October 1935, complete with the patterns for the garments illustrated on the front cover. 1930s vintage magazine

Source: Etsy

August 1937 Better Homes & Gardens magazine (The orange awnings are cute).

This interesting vintage magazine is filled with photos, ads, articles, and all sorts of inspiration for those interested in 1930s home decorating, furniture, interior design, gardening, cooking, and more.

Articles of interest include: Delphiniums Steal the Show, The Great American Dessert, Tomatoes Take Prizes, Menu for a Moveable Feast, The Artcraft Department, The Diary of a Plain Dirt Gardener, We Found Buried, Treasure, A HOme Without Any Headaches, Try Living Outside, For Summer Lounging, and of course, lots of vintage ads and more. Take a look inside HERE.

1930s Better Homes & Gardens magazine August 1937 complete issue furniture home decor gardening recipes DIY retro design vintage ads. 1930s vintage magazine.

Source: Etsy

Cosmopolitan magazine, August 1935. Artist: Bradshaw Crandell.

Source: Pinterest

The American magazine cover, August 1935 with the cutest 1930s swimsuit on the covers model.

The American magazine cover, August 1935. 1930s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Tumblr

Card Game at the Beach, Saturday Evening Post Cover, August 28, 1943 (love the swimsuits!). Anyone interested in hearing about the New England Orgy?

Card Game at the Beach, Saturday Evening Post Cover, August 28, 1943. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Etsy

The American Home, August 1941. Look at the prices of those homes? $6000 with a pool! And only $3800 for a 100% masculine house (I see this is the man issue).

The American Home, August 1941. Vintage Magazine featuring 1940s homes. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Etsy

Star Weekly, Toronto August 23rd, 1941 with a wounded soldier and a nurse helping him.

1941 Star Weekly Toronto Magazine Cover. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Elinor Florence

Profitable Hobbies magazine August 1946. Meet the King of the crocheters!

Profitable Hobbies Magazine August 1946 featuring an image of a man crocheting. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Etsy

Jet Magazine, August 21st, 1952 featuring Estelle Price (with a really fantastic 1950s pageboy hairstyle ).

Jet Magazine August 21st, 1952 featuring Etelle Price on the cover. Magazine for Black Men and Women. 1950s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Pinterest

August 1952 Woman’s Home Companion magazine featuring fruity 1950s desserts (ohhh jello!) and the Fall Fashion Preview (it’s a good one!). Take a look inside HERE.

August 1952 Woman's Home Companion magazine featuring fruity 50s desserts and the Fall Fashion Preview (it's a good one!). 1950s vintage magazine.

Source: Etsy

Ebony magazine, August, 1959 with Roy Campanella (Baseball Player inducted into the baseball hall of fame).

Ebony Magazine, August, 1959 with Roy Campanella (Black Baseball Player inducted into the baseball hall of fame) on the cover. 1950s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Pinterest

The beautiful, vibrant flower filled cover of the August 1953 edition Today’s Woman magazine (“for young wives”). Inside: “Tips on Garden Flower Arrangements”.

The beautiful, vibrant flower filled cover of the August 1953 edition Today's Woman magazine ("for young wives"). 1950s vintage magazine cover.

Souce: Flickr

I remember when I was younger being so excited to get the fashion magazines that featured the fall fashions I could wear to school. This magazine brings me back.

Seventeen Magazine, August 1959. 26 new hair styles and the giant fashion issue.

Source: Pinterest

Thanks for joining me on this trip down August magazine covers land. See you in September!

Question time: What was your favourite cover? Share in the comments section below.

Interested in other posts I have done on vintage magazines? Then check out my archived posts HERE.

Liz