Summer fashions from Butterick, Delineator, July 1918, page 51.
These summer outfits — with one exception — are really blouse and skirt combinations. The blouses deserve a close-up look:
Butterick blouse patterns 9999 and 9997, Delineator, July 1918, p 51.
Butterick blouses 9995 and 1011, with skirts 1028 and 1001. The bag, with tassel trim, is Transfer pattern 10670. Delineator, July 1918, p. 51.
These sheer overblouses are smocked to provide a little fullness over the bust. “Smock or Blouse” 9994 and “Smock or Blouse” 1012. Delineator, July 1918, p. 51.
Dress 1007 is bluish, with a slight teal or gray tint. Its pockets and hem area are either embroidered or use soutache braid as a trim. Butterick sold the transfer pattern for such embellishments: No. 10692.
Butterick dress pattern 1007, from July 1918, Delineator.
Page 50, which had all the pattern descriptions, also showed three additional outfits in black and white illustrations:
Butterick patterns from Delineator, July 1918, p. 50. From left, Blouse 1025 with skirt 1020; dress 9934, and dress 1019.
Here are all ten outfits, with their original descriptions and alternate views — which are often quite different from their color illustrations.
Butterick blouse 9999 and skirt 9991, July 1918.
The alternate view shows a very different, high necked version of the blouse; the U-shaped neckline was a fairly recent fashion, so the high-necked version was aimed at older or more conservative dressers.
Butterick blouse 9997 and skirt 1013, July 1918.
The skirt pattern was available in waist sizes 24 to 38 inches. The alternate view has a “Peter Pan collar.” The actress Maude Adams toured extensively in the play Peter Pan, setting a fashion. Click here to see her Peter Pan collar. Click here to see more about this Turn-of-the Century beauty with a brain.
Butterick dress pattern 1007, July 1918. The illustration of the alternate view shows a high collared insert — perhaps a dickey or vestee?
Dress pattern 1007 came in a larger than usual size — 46″ bust — and has a surplice closing “becoming to every woman, whatever her age,” so it was expected to appeal to older women, too. During World War I, Delineator fashion writing often used military phrases, such as “maintains the morale,” “obeys all orders,” and “dangerous to mankind.” (See Up Like Little Soldiers for more examples of jingoistic fashion writing.)
Butterick Smock or Blouse 1012 with skirt 9723. Delineator, July 1918.
Notice that the fancy, smocked pocket is shown as part of the skirt pattern, although it is on the smock in the color illustration. This skirt is gathered in back, and forms a header/ruffle above the waistband. This smock is also shown with a Peter Pan Collar (or it may be a long Buster Brown…. see below.) If not made in sheer fabric, would it be a maternity top?
Another Smock or Blouse pattern from Butterick, No. 9994. Foundation 9842. July 1918.
This sheer blouse is shown over a “Foundation” — a slip-like underdress, meant to show; the foundation looks more like a lingerie slip in the alternate view.
Butterick blouse 9995 with skirt 1028. Delineator, July 1918. The skirt was available in waist measurements 24 to 38 inches.
Butterick blouse 1011 and skirt 1001, July, 1918. More smocking gathers the bodice. This alternate view shows a “Buster Brown collar.“
Buster Brown shoe ad, Nov. 1917. Delineator.
Butterick blouse 1025 with skirt 1020. July, 1918.
Butterick dress pattern 9934, from July 1918. The bodice can be made with either front or back closures, and “all of the most popular necklines.” The unusual sleeves were a popular style.
Her flower-covered hat has a sheer brim. (For others, click here or here or here.)
Butterick dress pattern 1019, July 1918.
The hat shown in the middle of the page deserves a closer look. How did the wearer get through doorways, or into a car?
The hat is adorned with two feathers which appear to be ten or twelve inches taller than the hat.
Perhaps the hatless lady in the foreground is making a comment?
Part 1 of Summer Dresses from Butterick, July 1918, is here.
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