Clothes for college girls, Delineator, September 1930. Center is bolero suit 3412.
In Part 1, I mentioned the 1930 bolero as an option for older women who were not yet completely comfortable with the higher waist and figure-revealing new Thirties’ fashions. However, the bolero jacket (or, in some cases, a dress that gave the illusion of a bolero) was also worn by young women. Not to mention pajamas!
Hostess pajamas with a bolero top — and similar pjs for “little sister” were featured in the Christmas suggestions; Delineator, December 1930.
A “youthful” bolero suit (3562) and an interestingly tucked wrap dress (3548) from Delineator, December 1930.
These patterns came in the full range of normal sizes: ages 14 to 18 (teens and small women) and 32 to 44 inch bust measurement. “Boleros continue, for smart women simply won’t give them up.”
A short, removable bolero is featured in this suit from July, 1930. Butterick 3323.
Another bolero look from July 1930, Butterick 3315 has a false bolero “effect” in front, actually part of the dress.
Left, Butterick 3209 has a long, 1920s’ cardigan jacket, but Butterick 3242, right, has a bolero that reaches just below the waist. The two-tone bodice top creates a long line and draws attention upwards to the face — always a good idea for theatre/opera costumes.
Three different dressy approaches to the jacket ensemble, from May 1930. Butterick patterns from Delineator magazine. The bolero tied at the waist (left) appeared in evening ensembles in 1931.
Butterick 3323 has a formal afternoon look to me, but the description suggests that the bolero jacket is considered less formal than the short-sleeved dress beneath. May 1930.
Butterick 3238 is a suit with a hip-length jacket — also called a “bolero.” [It is buttonless and curved at the hem.] 1930.
Butterick 3229 is a more formal, lace ensemble, “equally smart at tea or dinner.” The jacket has a sleeveless dress under it. 1930.
A year later, boleros also appeared with more casual wear.
Some of these are cotton day dresses; the two at right have bolero jackets. May, 1931.
Butterick 3784 (left) is a bolero jacket and skirt pattern, with separate blouse. At right, dress 3759 is shown in paisley print with a false bolero jacket. Delineator, April 1931.
Confused? Here are the back views of the real bolero (suit with blouse) and the false bolero (3759, right.)
Even more casual, Butterick 4229 is described as a house dress with removable bolero.
Three house dresses — one with a removable bolero — Butterick 4229. Delineator, December 1931.
Next: Part 3. The bolero used with evening wear.
Part 4: More Boleros from the 1930s. (They kept appearing!)
witness2fashion 
Always fascinating! I’m impressed at how dressed up those “at home frocks” were. I wonder what made them house dresses and not day dresses. The “gay cotton print”?
Good question. In 1917 I’ve seen the terms “porch frocks” or “porch dresses,” which extended the range of the dress a little further…. “Tub dresses” meant they were washable…. But, to me, those five dresses all look good enough to wear in public, to the grocery store or school — so “more research needed!”
It is interesting that your American magazine features those two-tier flared skirts already in 1930. In Germany however they only appeared in 1936. I found some sewing magazines on eBay. 🙂 See item 163537852650 (1936) and 191725573192 (1931).
I think cotton was considered an informal fabric. To go out, rayon, marketed as “art silk” (artificial silk), or a light weight silk, would have been correct. Rayon as a clothing fabric was a big break through, as it absorbed perspiration (it is cellulose, a natural plant fiber), took dye beautifully, and draped well. The draw back was it could shrink a lot when washed. I think it was a mistake to market it as artificial silk, as it has some good properties on its own as rayon.
I, too, appreciate rayon fabrics. For me, washability is essential for a house dress — especially since they are liable to get wet while doing laundry or washing dishes (and children). Not to mention perspiration from canning food and beating those carpets…!
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