Two Blouses from the Mid-Twenties

Two blouses from the 1920’s

Both of these blouses appeared to be factory-made, both have long sleeves, and both have side openings that button at the hip. They also have strong vertical lines — a nice touch to copy if the hip-widening properties of twenties styles make you uncomfortable. Both are from a private collection that has been sold.

Machine Embroidered Twenties’ Blouse

Vintage 1920’s blouse with machine embroidery.

The body of the blouse is slightly eased into the hip band, for a mild blouson effect.  The colors are light blue, navy and rust. There are six tiny tucks on each side of the center front hidden button placket. The design is geometric. it may have been embroidered on light cotton ribbon and applied to the blouse.

Collar, cuff, and CF placket trim.

Back of twenties blouse with embroidered trim.

There is a slight amount of easing at each side of back where it meets the hip band.

The hip band closes with buttons on the sides:

Hip band is closed with buttons.

You could adjust the fit by moving the buttons.

White Tucked Twenties Blouse with Lace Trim

White tucked vintage 1920’s blouse with lace trim on collar and cuffs.

This blouse is not as long from collar to hip as the first blouse. It’s possible that some buttons have been replaced. The sheer cotton with woven stripes is enhanced with tucks on either side of the center front placket. The wrist-length sleeves have long cuffs that fold back, covering the buttons.

Collar detail, 1920s vintage blouse. The blouse would look better after pressing.

Side view of vintage twenties blouse.

The blouse uses French seams, with flat-felled seams at the armholes, like a man’s shirt.

Detail of hip opening on 1920s vintage blouse.

These 1924 Butterick blouse patterns from Delineator magazine have many of the same characteristics, including vertical lines and visible buttons at the hip band.

Butterick blouse patterns, 5228 and 5243; Delineator, May,1924.

These 1924 blouse patterns have a different hip treatment. The one on the left fits loosely and is belted to create a slight blousing. The one on the right is snugly buttoned.

Butterick blouse patterns 5055 and 5077, with hat No. 4973. Delineator, March 1924.

This cotton broadcloth blouse from Sears cost $1.98 in 1924 ($2.39 for stout sizes.).

Blouse with hip buttons, Sears catalog, Fall 1924.

Four Blouses and a Hat from January 1924

After showing sketches of Paris fashions for January 1924, it seems only right to show some simpler garments: four blouses and a cloche hat which could be made from Butterick patterns. (The two embroidered blouses are luxurious and not an overnight project, but all four are “do-able” home sewing patterns.)

Butterick blouse patterns from Delineator magazine, January 1924.

“The long blouse and godet skirt are new entries in mid-year’s styles.”  From the left:

Butterick 4933 blouse pattern, from 1924

Butterick blouse pattern 4933, Delineator, January 1924.

Like the other blouses in this illustration, it buttons at the hip band. Imagine how fabulous — and relatively easy — this would be in printed velvet, as shown.

Butterick 4941 blouse pattern, from 1924

Butterick blouse pattern 4941, Delineator, January 1924.

Butterick sold embroidery transfers and beading patterns as well as sewing patterns. To see a vintage early 1920s blouse, embroidered and beaded on sheer fabric, click here.

Butterick 4935 blouse pattern, from 1924

Butterick pattern 4935, Delineator, January 1924.

Two of those blouse patterns were available in larger-than-average sizes. (The normal range of Butterick patterns in the 1920’s fit bust sizes 32 to 44 inches.) To see more embroidered garments from the 1920s, click here.

Another blouse from the same issue of Delineator magazine is more tailored, intended to be worn with a suit; Butterick also sold the pattern for making the model’s charming cloche hat decorated with a ribbon cockade:

Butterick blouse pattern 4965 and Butterick hat pattern 4973, Delineator, January 1924.

Butterick 4965 blouse pattern, from 1924

“For wear with the two-piece suit this blouse with a one-button effect is very smart. It may be worn inside or outside the skirt. Make it of silk broadcloth, heavy crepe de chine, pongee, wash silks, or dimity. . . . The blouse is new for ladies 32 to 44 bust.”

Butterick cloche hat pattern 4973, 1924

Butterick’s cloche hat pattern No. 4973, for Ladies or Misses. Delineator, January 1924.

“One of the newest-shaped hats has a gored crown and hand-made ornaments at the side. One usually sees them in velvet, satin, duvetyn [a brushed wool] or wool jersey. For later wear down South, use chintz or gingham for view C. . . . The hat is attractive for Ladies or Misses.” I never thought of a chintz hat as a twenties’ authentic style, but here it is suggested by the Butterick Publishing Company.  Although Butterick sold many children’s hat patterns, hat pattern No. 4973 is not for children  — even when made from chintz or gingham.

Cloche hat trimmed with a gathered self-fabric cockade, probably bound in ribbon or bias-cut silk. 1924.

You can see more 1920’s hat patterns and hat trims by clicking here.