Butterick blouses 4225 and 4198, December 1931. Delineator magazine.
The blouses of the early 1930’s are varied and, to my eyes, attractive. They take their interest from unusual cuts and soft fabrics, like silk or rayon crepe, or, in one case, “triple georgette.”
It’s notable that, although these blouses can be worn tucked into the skirt, wearing them as shown gives a dressy effect. Only three years earlier, 1920’s styles broke the silhouette at the hip, so these may be transitional to the natural-waisted styles of the 1930’s, offering a familiar low line and a fitted waist.
This soft blouse with a shawl-like bertha collar was featured in April, 1931. It is Butterick 3758. It looks lovely in white, but watermelon pink was suggested.
Butterick blouse 3778 from Delineator, April 1931. Those openings on the upper arm seem to be popular again, but these end interestingly, with a tie.
Butterick blouse 4158 would easily go from office to date. November 1931, Delineator. Reversible (aka double-sided) crepe satin was suggested.
Butterick blouse 4164, November 1931. The slightly flared bottom is now a “peplum” and echoes the flared wrists.
Three elegant blouses were illustrated in December — perhaps in time for office parties….
Left, another rather formal blouse that would turn a simple skirt into a dressy dinner outfit: Butterick 4217 from December 1931. Sleeves became more complex and sometimes have a “cuff” at or above the elbow while the sleeve continues to the wrist. The dark outfit is a dress.
Butterick blouses 4225 and 4198, December 1931. These overblouses could be tucked in, or worn as illustrated.
“…Note its length, for blouses are creeping up on us.”
Alternate views of Butterick 4217, 4225, and 4198, from December 1931. 4198 is shorter than the others.
Next: More Blouses from the early 1930’s — 1932 and 1933.
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