Summer Sewing Inspiration & 1940s Palazzo Pants With Simplicity 3364

Gosh has it been that long since I last posted?! Well I guess it is simply because I didn't have much to blog about. My skirt for the Sew For Victory challenge has been finished up to the point where I need to hem it (well, minus the pockets, but I'll talk about that in another post). I still haven't got a mirror so unfortunately I am stuck again. So eventually I decided to move on, yet again, to a new sewing project.

Simplicity 3364

Ever since I purchased this pattern, I have been very eager to make a pair of extra wide 1940s summer slacks, also known as palazzo pants. They seem like such an ideal and lovely casual piece of summer clothing. After rummaging through my fabric stash I was holding this cheap, slippery, dark blue synthetic fabric, thinking why on earth I ever bought it when it suddenly hit me; I had it in mind as a test version for the palazzo pants! It is a cheap fabric but it has a lovely shine, color and drape. I don't really know how to describe it.. I guess if lining fabric and satin had a love baby, this would be it.


You might remember that I was planning to use this pattern to make pyjamas as well - I'm not sure yet if these will turn out as 'pants pants' or pyjama pants. If they do turn out as pyjama pants then I will make a matching blouse from the same fabric. The pattern is really simple and I should have them finished pretty quickly - no mirror needed to hem these! Thank goodness. I don't know whether this will be my second entry for Sew For Victory.. maybe I'll just enter the skirt and leave it at that.

The weather has been exceptionally nice here in the UK for the past few days and my hands are just itching to make a summer wardrobe. So I thought I'd share my favorite inspirational images from the 1940s and 1930s of three key garments that I hope to recreate; Palazzo pants, floor length skirts and hooded blouses. Enjoy!

Gene Tierney in a pair of lounging slacks. Her halter top looks identical to the one on the model below - Via

1940 - From the Life archive, photo by Peter Stackpole

"Bold tropical print fashions a new type of lounging slacks costume for the personal wardrobe of Dorothy Lamour. The trousers have a wide waistband, fastened with novel giant hooks and eyes of silver. The fullness of the slacks gives the effect of a skirt and Dorothy´s jumper is scarlet novelty silk. Her necklace of yellow beads alternates with strands of silver chain." - 1940 - Source

Source unknown

1940 - From the Life archive, photo by Peter Stackpole

The resort news for 1942 - Via

Models Lined Up For a Fashion Show, 1941 - Santa Monica, California - Source

Betty Davis for spring 1938

I just love these blouses with hoods! - Mary Anderson, 1940 - Source

Barbara Jo Allen rides a bike. In hooded slack suit. 1943 - Source