From the age of 4 through my early 20s, I was an avid downhill skier, fortunate enough to travel to some incredible destinations to race down the slopes. Skiing was a beloved family activity, and it became a core part of our time together.
These days, my knees no longer allow me to hit the slopes, but my love for the sport endures—especially when it comes to the fashion.
Today’s post is a tribute to “Vintage Ski Fashions 1920s-1950s,” as captured in vintage photos, sewing patterns, and catalogs.
Let’s hit the slopes!
1951 Lalo Family on Skis in Snow Madison Wisconsin. Source: Etsy – Maclancy
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase
Vintage Ski Clothes 1920s-50s: A Look Through Photos, Patterns, and Catalogs
Further Reading: Read about the history of Skiing here
1920’s
By the 1920s women’s skiwear had adapted and evolved beyond the skirt. The first Winter Olympics in 1924 popularized specialized skiwear, and garments were designed with functionality in mind. Women could now don trousers, although off the slopes it would still be outrageous to do so. During the 20s, any respectable man would rarely be seen without the classic flat cap, a look which reached the mountains. Zipper technology was also introduced, allowing for more layering and making it easier to put on and off. (Source).
1920s fashion catalog from France featuring a fantastic illustration of men and women’s ski clothes. Tailored jackets, berets and that flat cap mentioned above.
Source: alittlebitofrest.com
1920 ski wear-Stripes!
Source: eBay.com
In the 1920s, skirts gave way to trousers and plenty of layers (love the sweaters / coats in the next two photos!).
1924-Women smiling and having a great time on the slopes.
1926
Source: cntraveler.com
1920s advertisement for Northland Skis.
Canadian skiers were allowed to participate for the first time at the Olympic Winter Games of 1928. It was a joint decision of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA) and the Canadian Olympic Games Committee. The spectacular ski jumping and the challenging downhill sections of the cross country races were among the main attractions (Source).
Source: Skimuseum.ca
1930’s
During the 1930s manufacturers were in the full swing of making clothes that were comfortable and practical. Women sported Norweigian trousers, pants that were baggier at the top and then cinched tightly at the ankles. These were often paired with a tailored jacket, inspired by the uniform worn by pilots. The invention of the first goose down jacket in 1936 (by Eddie Bauer) marked the end of skiwear made out of lambswool (Source). The production of synthetic materials for better waterproofing and warmth was also being advanced (Source).
Source: Etsy-ChicEtChoc
1934 / 1935 Womens Fashion for Fall and Winter – Eatons catalogue 1930’s skirts and skiing outfits for Women.
Further Reading: Fashion Highlights of an Eatons Catalogue-Fall & Winter 1934-35
1930s vintage photo of a men’s ski team in their matching sweaters, ski pants and skis.
Source: Mountaineers.org
1936-Men’s ski wear fashion illustration.
Source: ursusbooks.com
1930s ski clothes sewing pattern illustration.
Source: 1000museums.com
1936, At St. Moritz, these smiling skiers don smart sweaters and traditional Tyrolean hats.
Further Reading: Oktoberfest Is Here Again-Vintage German Hat Pins
Source: cntraveler.com
Ski Fashions that don’t need Skis – 1938-39, Montgomery Ward. Love the plaid ski jacket.
1937 vintage advertisement for “Ski-O-Twill”. Salute to “Lastex” for Ski-O-Twill special ski fabric that stretches… for fit, comfort and freedom.
The invention of Lastex revolutionized the knit swimsuit, but here it is in a ski suit. Did it catch on after wool became out of style for ski clothes?
Source: The Vintage Traveler
1940’s
By the 1940s, developments in ski lift technology called for a more streamlined look. Now that you could ski downhill at greater heights, it was essential that clothing became more aerodynamic. Pants became more streamlined showing the natural curve of the body and outfits began to show more colour, allowing one to put their own personal flair into their look. (Source).
Source: collectorsprints.com
1940 Kotex Sanitary Napkin advertisement featuring a “Green Girl” who can do anything including winter sports.
Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages
1940’s photo of a young woman in a ski suit with a collar posing with her ski’s.
Source: Etsy-EphemeraObscura
“It happened in Sun Valley…” 1940s travel poster featuring a woman downhill racer.
Further Reading: Let’s Travel to Winter in Sun Valley, Idaho in the 1940s
1940s Vintage German Pattern Book featuring two women in Dirndls (so cute!!!) and two other women in 1940s ski wear.
You are able to make the ski outfit in the bottom right (a waist length with zip front & patch pockets) as this vintage sewing pattern was avail for purchase at time of posting HERE.
Source: Etsy – SlowMadeInGermany
1940s Vintage Photo of Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert looking so amazing in their Ski fashions (Sweaters & Ski pants) on the hills of Sun Valley. Love Gary Coopers sweater!
FURTHER READING: Let’s Travel to Sun Valley, Idaho in the 1940s
1940’s Vintage ad for Jantzen Sweaters for Skiing & other winter activities.
Further Reading: “Jantzen Makes the Finest Sweaters”-1940s & 1950s Vintage Jantzen Ads
Here is a 1940’s photo of our Jantzen sweater men in real life (it’s not, but it could be!).
Source: alittlebitofrest.com
How adorable are these 1940s ladies with their stylish ski suits, well styled hair and cute winter hats? The answer is..adorable!
Further Reading: Ladies Winter Hats-1940s Style
1940s women ski suits from 1942 / 1943 Montgomery Ward Vintage Catalog.
FURTHER READING:
1940s Ski Fashions as seen in a ‘Bernat Handicrafter Book 19, from 1949.’ Knit your way to stylish ski style!
The book is in PDF format (so available anytime) and a must see inside. Take look HERE.
I LOVE The downshill skiiers knitted on the sweater. So fun!
Source: Etsy-TangledSundries
1950’s Fashion
Nylon heavily influenced the look of skiwear in the ‘50s. No longer was it all business all the time; stretchy nylon pants hugged the hips more naturally than wool, and looked great with a bright top. Throughout this decade, skiers started to explore new colors and patterns (and hats, apparently). But designers didn’t stop with nylon, as they started to experiment with polyester. Spandex entered the picture in 1959, which ended up as the aerodynamic solution skiers had been waiting for since the ‘30s. With the chair lift and a host of new fabrics to make skiing more comfortable, ski resorts really blossomed (Source).
Source: eBay
I don’t think you can have a vintage look without a sweater with skiers on it? Fun 1950’s vintage ski sweater.
Source: Etsy – Junkateria
Monarch Sport Close-Ups Vol. 109, dated 1950 knitting pattern book (avail as a PDF to download right now).
31 pages of winter sports wear for women, men, youth and young adults. Patterns include fair isle Nordic-style ski sweaters and several mittens, sweaters, and cardigans. Lots of fun colorwork designs with accompanying charts.
Source: Etsy-TangledSundries
“Warm..Wearable…Wonderful Botany Knitwear. Tunisian Crochet Mom & Daughter Ski Jacket Cardigan and Hat September, 1951.
Four Pages – (PDF eBook Digital Download)
Source: Etsy-ivarose
Mild day on the snow. 1950s photo.
Source: eBay
White Stag Ski Togs 1950 advertisement.
Source: eBay
1958-1959 photo of a model wearing a Bogner sweater. Bogner skiwear is the epitome of timeless. (Photo: Getty Images).
About: The German luxury brand Bogner started importing Norwegian ski sweaters in 1932 and the style (as well as the revolutionary Bogner stretch pants) was picked up by racers and recreational skiers alike (source).
Source: skimage.com
1950s stylish sweaters for the slopes and the lodge. Colorwork with double ski jumpers and evergreen trees. This is a classic 1950’s vintage pullover sweater pattern (vintage pattern for the mens sweater avail as a PDF here).
Source: Etsy-knitsomuch
Apres Ski-1950s photo
Source: eBay
Aldens 1956-157 Fall / Winter catalog featuring Women’s Sportswear, like this stylish ski suit.
It’s all smiles until someone breaks a leg. Ha! 1950s photo.
Source: eBay
I will end this post with the coolest, perfect for Apres Ski record..Jo Stafford’s 1956 release Ski Trails, a classy collection of non-Christmas winter-themed songs like Let It Snow, I’ve Got My Love to Keep me Warm, June in January and many more.
Fun Fact…Jingle Bells is NOT a Christmas Song. Not one word in the song alludes to the holiday, so go forth and enjoy!
Give the record a listen here…
Source: Etsy-VintageVinylGold
Thanks for dropping by friends! Hope you had a good time with post. I loved seeing how the styles changed from the 1920s-1950s.
Question Time: Are you a skier? Or not a fan? Share any thoughts on this topic in the comments section below. I love hearing from my readers!
Further Reading: Vintage Winter Blog Posts 1920s-1960s (Archived Posts)
Liz
