I love a good Fall trend, even if I’m not emotionally ready for that particular season just yet. So it was really exciting when I saw that one of the Fall Fashion Trends (and frankly ANYTIME) was Head-to-Toe Knits. Think sweater dresses, cardigans, knitted skirts etc. So fun! So cozy! Sign me up!

“KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR WAR WORK” 1942-Nova Scotia Archives

Now since this is the Vintage Inn Blog, I’m not going to show you the modern versions of this trend, but the vintage looks instead. Focusing in on the fashions from 1930s to the 1950s.

So grab your knitting needles, or your credit card (to purchase ready made knits) and let’s see what beauties we could possible add to our Fall wardrobe today (or be inspired by)! PLUS! I have added for fun some real life vintage photos of folks in knits of all kinds.

Note: I’m also adding some Vintage reproductions options to this post if sizing or the stress of that one of kind availability is an issue.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy & RockNRomance are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Note: If an item you click on is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites featured are updated daily with new products, so do some searching for similar items. Hapy shopping!

Fall Fashion Trend: Head-to-Toe Knits!

The Vintage Edition

“Chic…. Hand Knit Styles by Monarch.” 1930s knitting book featuring various pattern instructions for ladies knit dresses, cardigans, suits, swagger coats, pullovers (aka vests) and more!

Vintage Original 1930s Monarch Chic Knitting book featuring knitted dresses knitted cardigans jackets and more

Source: Etsy

OH MY! I will take this 1930s plaid knitted dress in every plaid combination around! Yooza! Oh and while we are at it, I will take the hat too please! (Avail as a PDF HERE)

Note: After careful inspection of the image, I believe this is a matching plaid sweater and plaid skirt. But does not matter, because it’s still wonderful!

1930s plaid knitted dress or a 1930s plaid sweater and 1930s plaid skirt with a cute 1930s hat.

Source: Etsy

1930s knitted swagger coat (Fantastic!).

1930s Knitted Coat Swagger Coat as seen in a Vintage 1930s Knitting pattern book.

Source: Etsy

1931 vintage photo of 2 stylish young women in 1930s outfits with one lady wearing a long knitted cardigan and matching skirt.

Further Reading: 1930s Fashions As Seen On Everyday People

Photograph Womens Fashion Snapshot - 1931 fashion photo - photo of 2 young women in 1930s outfits

Source: Etsy

For Luncheons and Teas (or Brunches in modern times). A 1934 empire knit two piece dress (Blouse and Skirt set). (Avail as a PDF HERE)

1930s 1934 Empire Knit Two Piece Dress- Blouse and Skirt set

Source: Etsy

1930s Knitting Pattern- Vienna long sleeve knit sweater. So pretty! I love the detail around the waist. (Avail as a PDF HERE)

1930s Knitting Pattern- Vienna Long Sleeve Sweater Blouse

Source: Etsy

I might have to convince my mother who an knit to make me this beauty of a sweater. A 1940s knitted WWII home front cable cardigan. LOVE IT! (Avail as a PDF HERE)

Source: Etsy

Archery anyone? 1940s knitted Sweater and vests that are perfect for a lady who wishes to shoot a bow! Patons “The New Black Sweater” knitting patterns.

1940s Women's Vintage Knitting Pattern booklet featuring Sweater Vests like these two ladies doing archery are wearing.

Source: Etsy

1940s photo of a young blonde woman in a cardigan and skirt.

Source: Etsy

I never knew that knitted Peasant Blouses was a thing in the 1940s, but here is the proof in a ‘Smart Knitting Pattern Book’ 3rd Edition, Winter 1948!

Aren’t they lovely? And look at the accessories…those gorgeous neckalaces, choker and bracelets are stunning and oh so fashionable.

1940s Knitted Peasant Sweaters as seen in a vintage 1940s Knitting Book

Source: Etsy

Hello Fall! Here I am, in my stylish Wattle Gold, 1940s knitted dress. Stunning! (Avail as as PDF HERE)

Wattle Gold, 1940s knitted dress - vintage knitting pattern

Source: Etsy

Victory jumper knitting pattern from “Home Notes” – Saturday July 2nd 1945. (Avail as a PDF HERE)

Victory Jumper 1945 WW2 Knitting Pattern. Image showcases a young woman in 1940s hairstyles in a colourful sweater on the phone.

Source: Etsy

Don’t worry men! We have some knitted sweaters just for you as seen in a 1940s ‘Monarch Hand Knits For Men’, knitting pattern book.

Vintage Monarch Hand Knits For Men Knitting Pattern Book 1940's

The one piece that I have always wanted in my vintage collection…a 1950s sweater dress like the one seen below (I would also take the 1940s one I posted above). Isn’t it just lovely? (Avail as a PDF HERE)

Source: Etsy

Wonderful 1950s Lady’s cable front jacket vintage knitting pattern (Avail as a PDF HERE). This is so inspiring! Pair it over a dress, sweater /skirt or even pants!

Wonderful 1950s Lady's Cable Front Jacket vintage knitting pattern pdf

Source: Etsy

I’m kind of obessed with these “Bulkies” Sweaters as seen in a 1950s vintage Beehive knitting pattern book. The dolman sleeve is just so cool!

Vintage Beehive Knitting Pattern(#8-12) Bulkies-Ladies Dolman Sleeve Sweater with collar variations (1950's) Vintage Knitting/Retro Knitting

Source: Etsy

These sweater in these 1955 photos of a young woman named Pat Rothauser, do sort of remind me of the sweaters above. Plus isn’t she just so cute?!

1950s photo of a young girl, young teenager in 1950s fashions sitting on the lawn outside.

Source: Etsy

I’m a big fan of bowling so this 1950s bowling sweater with matching socks is a want on my Christmas list! What a fun knitted sweater. (Avail HERE)

1950s Bowling Sweater with Matching Socks. 1950s Fall Fashion.

Source: Etsy

If women can wear bowling sweaters, then men can wear seahorse cardigans. Courtesy of a Mary Maxim 1950s knitting pattern book. (Avail as a PDF HERE)

Novelty Seahorse Cardigan c 1950s - vintage knitting pattern for men.

Source: Etsy

June 1952 ~ Vintage photo of a Black couple holding hands at the Zoo. Tip on how accessorize your Sweater… Add a cute brooch like our lovely lady below.

June 1952 ~ Vintage Photo ~ Black Couple Holding Hands at the Zoo ~ 1950s Vintage Snapshot

Source: Etsy

Note: For a fantastic collection of vintage knitting patterns in PDF form, please check out Subversive Femme on Etsy. Several of the images above are from this profile and there are LOADS more that are just as stunning (like I could do a whole post on them and then some).

Vintage Reproduction Knits!

I am currently an affliate with a super cute Vintage Reproduction website out of the UK called “RocknRomance Vintage” (Classic 1940s & 1950s Styled Clothing) They clothing is just fantastic!

Here is an example of their Knitted Cardigans they have for sale. Different colours are available on their website.

Textured Diamond Knit Cardigan in Deep Red, 1940s & 50s Vintage Style

I LOVE a cable knit slipover (or sweater vest as we call it here in Canada), because it’s perfect for a true 1940s vintage look. Here is an example on RocknRomance that comes in various colours (I might need to splurge and buy myself one).

vintage style 1940s sweater - cable knit sweater.

There are also a few Etsy sellers who have different vintage style knits in modern day sizes. One is ‘Bloody Edith‘ who sells vintage inspired knitwear from the 1930s-1950s. Here a couple of sweaters that I liked.

Vintage 1940s style color block woolen “Loretta” sweater / jumper (Avail in various sizes HERE).

Vintage 1940s / 1950s style rust, pistachio and ochra stripes “Mirna” sweater (Avail in various sizes HERE).

Vintage 1940s 1950s Style Rust, Pistachio and Ochra Stripes Cotton “Mirna” Sweater Jumper

Another vintage style knitwear seller, is ‘Mischief Made‘. Their knits are so fun (make sure you also check out their cool t-shirts & other items).

Seahorse Cardigan in Peakcock (Various sizes avail HERE).

Seahorse Cardigan in Peacock Vintage Inspired Cardigan

Vintage 1950s Style Mischief Collared Knit Cardigan (Avail in various colors and sizes HERE).

I hope you are inspired by this post for your fall wardrobe update. I know that I’m itching for all things vintage knit this Fall & Winter and Spring!

Questions: What did you love in the styles above? Do you knit? Want to knit? Share any thoughts in the comments section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Do you love vintage Fall fashions? Then take a look at my always updated Etsy Collection of Fall Fashions from the 1920s-1960s that you can purchase right now.

Further Reading:

Oh and before we go, I just had to share this late 1930s maybe early 1940s vintage photo of a woman in the most fantastic maxi plaid coat I have ever seen. Isn’t it amazing? -Liz-

Late 1930s early 1940s photo of a young woman in a very long plaid jacket wearing a hat.

Source: Etsy

Colour-blocking is thought of as the exploration of taking colors that are opposites on the color wheel and pairing them together to make interesting and complementary color combinations. It is commonly associated in fashion as a trend that originated from the artwork of Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian (Source).

In the 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent was inspired by Mondrian’s work and created the iconic dress seen below. Colour-blocking was also the early introduction of Mod Style, a 60’s trend known for bold, solid colored separates that were composed of blocks in different hues (Source).

As the sack dress evolved in the 1960s into a modified form, the shift, Saint Laurent realized that the dress's planarity was an ideal field for color blocks. Knowing the flat planes of the 1960s canvases acheived by contemporary artists in the lineage of Mondrian, Saint Laurent made the historical case for the artistic sensibility of his time. Y

Source: The Met

Now in the case of 1940’s & 1950’s fashion, colour-blocking was very understated and normally unintentional. This is why when you research the history of this style, you won’t really find the 40s and 50s being mentioned as a trendy time for this look (at least I could not find much info).

I did find an interesting piece of information about 1940s colour-blocking though….

It was an ideal way to use small pieces of fabric that would not be enough on their own for a garment, combined in ways that could make a whole garment and a fun fashion statement. Designers became very creative with color blocking, even in odd combinations (Source).

Uncut 1940s Hollywood 1759 One Shoulder Dress Pattern Vintage Sewing Grecian Style Dress Color Block Cocktail Dress

Source: Etsy

The Colour Block Fashions of the 1940s & 1950s

Vintage Fashion Examples

For today’s post I want to showcase the 1940s & 1950s and what colour-blocking looked like during this time period of fashion (with a late 1930s & early 1960s dresses thrown in for fun).

Let’s begin!

(Note: Updated March 2024)

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.

Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.

VINTAGE SHOPPING: I have put together to make your shopping easier, an Etsy collection of vintage color block fashion’s, that is updated monthly. Happy Shopping!

This is the dress that started this post. It’s so pretty, I could cry! I just wished it fit, but it does not so it will live forever on my blog!

A stunning vintage 1930s puffed sleeved evening gown in black velveteen and mint faille colour block.

1930s Dress - Stunning Vintage 30s Puffed Sleeve Evening Gown in Black Velveteen and Mint Faille Color Block

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s Pink + Burgundy Wool Colour Block Dress (love the colour combo!).

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s Pink + Burgundy Wool Colour Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940’s pale blue & black colour block dress (avail as of March 2024 HERE).

I own a very similar dress to this one and was always confused on how it was supposed to look on, but now I know.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940's pale blue & black colour-block dress

Source: Etsy

1940s Gorgeous Pink and Black Rayon Color Block Dress. I love the colour combo!

1940s Fashion: 1940s Gorgeous Pink and Black Rayon Color Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Holy Jeepers! THIS DRESS!! Falling over from how stunning it is! A 1940s navy blue red white dash print rayon crepe, two tone colour block dress.

1940s Fashion: navy blue red white dash print rayon crepe two tone color block 3/4 sleeves double breast V neck center pleat A-line skirt dress

Source: Etsy

1940’s black and pink pinafore style colour block dress.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940's Black and Pink Rayon Dress/ 40's Colour Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Spring/Summer Modes Royale catalogue from 1947 featuring 1940s Color Block dresses.

Source: rhondabuss.com

Maybe I’m alone on this, but I LOVE COLOUR-BLOCKING DRESSES! Here is another beauty. A vintage 1940s wool gabardine black and dusty pink dress with unique pockets.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Color Block Frock | Vintage 40s Wool Gabardine Black and Dusty Pink Sassy Sensational Dress with Unique Pockets

Source: Etsy

You had me with this dress with those color-blocked ruffles at the back. STUNNING!

A vintage 1940s dark taupe & pumpkin spice orange colour block, rayon crepe cocktail dress w/ruffles.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Fabulous Femme Fatale Frock | Vintage 40s Dark Taupe & Pumpkin Spice Orange Color Block Rayon Crepe Cocktail Dress w/Ruffles

Source: Etsy

1940 Fashion Illustration featuring Color Block Evening Dresses & Casual Day Dresses.

Source: Pinterest

1940s junior rayon puff sleeve colour block dress. Super cute!

1940s Fashion: 1940s junior rayon puff sleeve color-block dress

Source: Etsy

Modes Royale Fall/Winter 1955/56 Fashions.

1950s Fashion Illustration: Modes Royale Fall/Winter 1955/56 Womens Fashions featuring a color block dress.

Source: rhondabuss.com

I’m a huge fan of Rose Marie Reid Swimsuits, as you would of read all about it a past post seen below. So it was very exciting that I found one of her designs for this colour block post, that is for sale! Someone so very lucky will get to own this beautiful 1950s vintage bathing suit and look so fab everytime they put it on. LUCKY DUCK!

Further Reading: 1940s & 1950s Canadian Swimsuit Designer-Rose Marie Reid

1950s Fashion: vintage 1950s designer swimsuit | 50s Rose Marie Reid colour block halter skirted swim bathing suit

Source: Etsy

Glorious 1950’s cotton sun dress. This dress features a large scale colour block of yellow, white and blue, self tie straps and clever pocket placement. This is so darn cute!

1950s Fashion: Glorious 1950’s cotton sun dress. This dress features a large scale colour block of yellow, white and blue, self tie straps and clever pocket placement. Fitted bodice with a scooped neckline, comfortable self tie spaghetti straps, nipped waist and a very full pleated skirt with two hidden pockets. Side metal zipper.

Source: Etsy

Gorgeous 1950s cotton colour block dress done in the gradient shades of pink!

1950s Fashion: Vintage 1950s Dress / 1950s Pink Cotton Colorblock Dress / Full Skirt

Source: Etsy

1950’s Fit n flare cotton dress in a sky blue and chocolate brown color block.

Source: Etsy

1950s red and blue colour block shirtwaist dress.

Further Reading: The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940s and 1950s

1950s Fashion: 1950s red and blue color block shirtwaist dress

Source: Etsy

To end here is a 1960’s Carol Rodgers cotton dress featuring a yellow and white color block print. Also featured is how the dress looked like on the model in this 1963 ‘Lana Lobell’ catalog.

early 1960s Carol Rodgers cotton dress features a yellow and white color block print. Sleeveless. Button closure down front bodice with additional snap closure at front waist. Nipped waist and includes the original matching rope waist ties. Full pleated skirt.

Source: Etsy

Question time: Are you a fan of colour-blocking? Share your thoughts and what your favourite outfit was, in the comments section below.

Thanks for dropping by!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz

Category: Vintage Fashion