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August Vintage Magazine Covers

It’s that time of the month again….It’s August Vintage Magazine Covers (and yes I did forget to do May-July and that was because well…..2020). BUT I’m back and ready to browse the magazines!

If you are a regular reader of my vintage blog, you know that I have started a “vintage magazine cover”series for each month. It’s been really fun, to see what was popular topics and images on these covers from the 1920s to the 1950s.

Let’s begin!

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

July & August 1927 Dennison’s Party magazine: Decorations, Costumes, Games, Refreshments.  “In this issue: Water Games & Sports, A Treasure Hunt, The Fourth of July Parade, A Garden Cabaret, The Children’s Party on the Lawn”. 

July & August 1927 Dennison’s Party Magazine: Decorations, Costumes, Games, Refreshments.  “In this issue: Water Games & Sports, A Treasure Hunt, The Fourth of July Parade, A Garden Cabaret, The Children’s Party on the Lawn”.  1920s vintage magazine cover.

Source: High Valley Books

Social, August 1920 featuring a very stylish woman in a 1920s swimsuit and jacket. Social was an illustrated monthly magazine that circulated in Cuba between 1916 and 1938. It was known for its quality and high artistic value.

Social, August 1920. Social was an illustrated monthly magazine that circulated in Cuba between 1916 and 1938. It was known for its quality and high artistic value. 1920s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Pinterest

“Toy Sailboat,” Saturday Evening Post Cover, August 1, 1925 by Charles A. MacLellan.

"Toy Sailboat," Saturday Evening Post Cover, August 1, 1925 by Charles A. MacLellan. 1920s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Art.com

Vintage British Mabs Fashions magazine from August – October 1935, complete with the patterns for the garments illustrated on the front cover. Click HERE to see inside.

Vintage British Mabs Fashions magazine from August - October 1935, complete with the patterns for the garments illustrated on the front cover. 1930s vintage magazine

Source: Etsy

August 1937 Better Homes & Gardens magazine (The orange awnings are cute).

This interesting vintage magazine is filled with photos, ads, articles, and all sorts of inspiration for those interested in 1930s home decorating, furniture, interior design, gardening, cooking, and more.

Articles of interest include: Delphiniums Steal the Show, The Great American Dessert, Tomatoes Take Prizes, Menu for a Moveable Feast, The Artcraft Department, The Diary of a Plain Dirt Gardener, We Found Buried, Treasure, A HOme Without Any Headaches, Try Living Outside, For Summer Lounging, and of course, lots of vintage ads and more. Take a look inside HERE.

1930s Better Homes & Gardens magazine August 1937 complete issue furniture home decor gardening recipes DIY retro design vintage ads. 1930s vintage magazine.

Source: Etsy

Cosmopolitan magazine, August 1935. Artist: Bradshaw Crandell.

Cosmopolitan magazine, August 1935. Artist: Bradshaw Crandell. Cover features a pretty woman with 1930s hairstyle. 1930s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Pinterest

The American magazine cover, August 1935 with the cutest 1930s swimsuit on the covers model.

The American magazine cover, August 1935. 1930s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Tumblr

Card Game at the Beach, Saturday Evening Post Cover, August 28, 1943 (love the swimsuits!). Anyone interested in hearing about the New England Orgy?

Card Game at the Beach, Saturday Evening Post Cover, August 28, 1943. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Etsy

The American Home, August 1941. Look at the prices of those homes? $6000 with a pool! And only $3800 for a 100% masculine house (I see this is the man issue).

The American Home, August 1941. Vintage Magazine featuring 1940s homes. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Etsy

Star Weekly, Toronto August 23rd, 1941 with a wounded soldier and a nurse helping him.

1941 Star Weekly Toronto Magazine Cover. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Elinor Florence

Profitable Hobbies magazine August 1946. Meet the King of the crocheters!

Profitable Hobbies Magazine August 1946 featuring an image of a man crocheting. 1940s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Etsy

Jet Magazine, August 21st, 1952 featuring Estelle Price (with a really fantastic 1950s pageboy hairstyle ).

Jet Magazine August 21st, 1952 featuring Etelle Price on the cover. Magazine for Black Men and Women. 1950s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Pinterest

August 1952 Woman’s Home Companion magazine featuring fruity 1950s desserts (ohhh jello!) and the Fall Fashion Preview (it’s a good one!). Take a look inside HERE.

August 1952 Woman's Home Companion magazine featuring fruity 50s desserts and the Fall Fashion Preview (it's a good one!). 1950s vintage magazine.

Source: Etsy

Ebony magazine, August, 1959 with Roy Campanella (Baseball Player inducted into the baseball hall of fame).

Ebony Magazine, August, 1959 with Roy Campanella (Black Baseball Player inducted into the baseball hall of fame) on the cover. 1950s vintage magazine cover.

Source: Pinterest

The beautiful, vibrant flower filled cover of the August 1953 edition Today’s Woman magazine (“for young wives”). Inside: “Tips on Garden Flower Arrangements”.

The beautiful, vibrant flower filled cover of the August 1953 edition Today's Woman magazine ("for young wives"). 1950s vintage magazine cover.

Souce: Flickr

I remember when I was younger being so excited to get the fashion magazines that featured the fall fashions I could wear to school. This magazine brings me back.

Seventeen Magazine, August 1959. 26 new hair styles and the giant fashion issue.

Seventeen Magazine, August 1959. 26 new hair styles and the giant fashion issue.

Source: Pinterest

Thanks for joining me on this trip down August magazine covers land. See you in September!

Question time: What was your favourite cover? Share in the comments section below.

Interested in other posts I have done on vintage magazines? Then check out my archived posts HERE.

Liz

The Skirt Suit: A Fall Fashion Trend. The 1940s Edition

Updated August 2024

Trending on Pinterest right now is Fall Fashion Trend and since I’m not one to wear modern clothes on the regular I always look for how you could turn a modern trend into a vintage one. Of course all fashion inspiration comes from what came before so it makes sense that one of the trends this fall, ‘The Skirt Suit” is a throwback to the popular 1940s Women’s Two Piece Suit.

1940s skirt suits with long jacket a 1940s vintage ad

Today’s post is going to showcase vintage images (catalogs, sewing patterns, photos) of women wearing this look in the 1940s, so you too can be inspired to rock this trend with a vintage angle this fall!

Let’s begin!


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy 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 a link and the item you are looking for is no longer available, don’t fret. Etsy is filled with 1000’s of options and updated daily. Do a search and see what comes up. You just never know what you will find!


1940s Fashion-The Skirt Suit

Brief History of the “Victory Suit / Utility Suit”

In the United States during the 1940s, it was patriotically called the victory suit. In Britain, it was the utility suit.  Started in the 1930s it became a practical edition in wartimes women’s wardrobes due to how verstaile it was. As clothes were being rationed the 2 piece suit could be broken apart and worn in different ways (change the blouse and BAM! new outfit).

1940s vintage advertising for women's 2 piece suit make do and mend. new clothes from old during world war 2

Source: Pinterest

Women wore these suits day and night and even for their weddings. They were really great editions to one’s wardrobe.

NOTE: Vintage Dancer gives a fantastic breakdown of what the suits were made of, what the restrictions were when making them and so much more. Instead of recreating the wheel I encourage you to head over there after you done my post and give it a read HERE.

Now let’s take a peek at some fantastic examples of these suits

(vintage photos, patterns & real life examples)

1940s vintage photo of a woman wearing a 2 piece skirt suit with brooch. Great Street Style!

1940s vintage photo of a woman wearing a 2 piece skirt suit with brooch. Great Street Style!

Source: Etsy

Two Black women, including Velma Pratt Bell, holding handbag and fur in stylish skirt suits, standing in Schenley High School for Beauty Shop Owners’ Fashion Revue, circa 1945. Photo by Teenie Harris.

Two Black women, including Velma Pratt Bell, holding handbag and fur, standing in Schenley High School for Beauty Shop Owners' Fashion Revue, circa 1945. Photo by Teenie Harris. They are wearing stylish Skirt Suits

Source: CMOA

A 1942 reproduction sewing pattern features a ladies two-piece suit. The crisply tailored, unlined jacket is finished with a notched collar, and welt-style pockets. Attached belt finishes the waistline (Avail in instant PDF format HERE)

1940s Fashion: 1940s Ladies Two Piece Suit Dress - Instant download - Reproduction 1942 Sewing Pattern.

Source: Etsy – Vintage Pattern Girl

Another 1940s two piece skirt suit sewing pattern (I own a similar hat that the lady on the left is wearing).

1940s Two Piece Suit Sewing Pattern  Vintage 40s McCall Women's Skirt Suit fashion illustration

Source: Etsy

1940s photo of Elsa Lee Elliott Harris, wife of Charles “Teenie” Harris, with University of Pittsburgh and Cathedral of Learning in background, Oakland. Elsa is wearing a beautiful skirt suit in the photo.

1940s Photo of a Black Women Elsa Lee Elliott Harris, wife of Charles “Teenie” Harris, with University of Pittsburgh and Cathedral of Learning in background, Oakland

Source: CMOA

1940s navy blue wool gabardine women’s suit.

1940s Fashion: vintage 1940s suit, made of a high quality navy blue wool gabardine
➡ quintessential 40s silhouette with very .thick padded shoulders + sleek waistline + A line skirt

Source: Etsy-LiliesandRemains

1940s Rayon Wool Gaberdine Skirt Suit (avail as of Aug 2024 HERE)

1940s Fashion: 1940s Rayon Wool Gaberdine Skirt Suit

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s Off White Crochet Skirt Suit -STUNNING!

1940s Fashion: A Vintage 1940s Off White Crochet Skirt Suit

Source: Etsy

1940s Suit ~ Brown Wool Scallop Collar Tailored suit skirt Set. Love the Collar Detail.

1940s Suit ~ Brown Wool Scallop Collar Tailored Suit Skirt Set -1940s Fashion

Source: Etsy

“Victory Fabrics” as seen in my personal collection ‘Montgomery Ward, Fall/Winter 1942-1943‘ Catalog.

What is a Victory Fabric (According to Montgomery Ward)? To make wool go further or to replace it replace it completely, as it grows scarcer – these ingenious new fabrics were developed to give warmth, quality, long wear. The new wooly effect casein fiber Aralac, for instance.

 1940s womens skirt suit from a montgomery ward 1942 Fall/ winter catalog

1940s Womens skirt suit pattern from DuBarry with double pockets on the jacket and a niped waist.

1940s Womens Skirt Suit Pattern from DuBarry with double pockets on the jacket and a niped waist.

Source: Etsy

1940s lightweight gabardine wool skirt suit with not one but two skirts! Jacket shows off oversized contrast collar, oversized double breasted buttons and feminine fitted shape.

1940s lightweight gabardine wool suit with not one but two skirts! Jacket shows off oversized contrast collar, oversized double breasted buttons and feminine fitted shape.

Source: Etsy

1942-1943 Fall/ Winter Montgomery Ward Catalog page (from personal collection) featuring a pretty women’s skirt suit telling you how to measure to insure best fit.

1942-1943 Fall/ Winter Montgomery Ward Catalog page (from personal collection) featuring a pretty women's skirt suit telling you how to measure to insure best fit.

1940s women’s skirt suit in rare and exquisite lavender wool.

1940s women's skirt suit in rare and exquisite lavender wool.

Source: Etsy

Anyone getting married this year? Since everything is low key why not go with this stunning ivory 2 piece skirt & jacket Fred A Block set from the 1940s? You would 100% stand out from the wedding dresses you see today.

Awesome ivory 2 piece skirt & jacket Fred A Block skirt suit set from the 40s.

Source: Etsy

1940s Vintage Wedding Photo of a Soldier and his Bride in her wonderful two piece suit wedding outfit.

Further Reading: Canadian WW2 War Brides

1940s Vintage Weddding Photo of a Soldier and his Bride her wonderful two piece suit wedding outfit.

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s WW2 brown houndstooth skirt suit.

Vintage 1940s 40s war era WW2 brown houndstooth skirt suit

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940’s Sewing Pattern: Women’s Two-Piece skirt suit has inverted pleats in front and is finished at upper edge with a belt.

Vintage 1940's Sewing Pattern: Women's Two-Piece Skirt Suit has inverted pleats in front and is finished at upper edge with a belt.

Source: Etsy

Original 1940s Vintage Grey Taupe Cream Houndstooth Check Wool skirt suit from the Ruth Davy Shop in Flint Michigan.

Original 1940s 40s Vintage Grey Taupe Cream Houndstooth Check Wool Skirt Suit Ruth Davy Shop

Source: Etsy

1940’S Hollywood Sewing Pattern 850 featuring Wendy Barrie of RKO Radio Stardum. Misses skirt suit pattern with box pleat skirt.

1940'S Hollywood Sewing Pattern 850 Wendy Barrie RKO Radio Misses Suit Pattern with Box Pleat Skirt

Source: Etsy

Another catalog page from my vintage 1942-1943 Montgomery Ward catalog featuring a group of women’s 2 piece suits in full colour. How wonderful are they? I would order them all!

Another catalog page from my vintage 1942-1943 Montgomery Ward catalog featuring a group of women's 2 piece suits in full colour. How wonderful are they? I would order them all!

Lastly, I cannot leave this post without mentioning that the skirt suit was the popular uniform for women serving in the military during WW2.

Below is a WW2 Air Force Uniform worn by Canadian Women. Read all about these uniforms on my guest Blog Post from Elinor Florence HERE.

“WW2 Air Force Uniforms for Canadian Women”

How to find Women’s 1940s 2 Piece Skirt Suits on the web?

  • Visit a website like Etsy and type in search terms like: “1940s women’s suit” & “1940s 2 piece skirt suit” with variations of those terms (or anything you saw above).

OR is vintage not for you? Then don’t worry, I have you covered with modern day skirt suits in a 1940s style (and modern day sizes).

Two-piece stylish 1940s style suit in a fine grey and dark blue check cloth (other colours & lots of sizes avail).

The Victory suit is a replica of an original forties (avail HERE)

1940s fashion: Forties Two Piece Skirt Suit - 1940s Authentic Vintage Replica - Socialite "Victory" Women's Skirt Suit in Grey Check - Retro Womenswear

Source: Etsy-RevivalVintageUK

Handmade, ladies reproduction 1940’s suit made of heavyweight polyester reflecting the times and replicating Rayon. The suits are available in a mix and match combination of jackets and skirts from sizes 10-18. The suits are available in three colours , blue , green and beige (Avail HERE).

1940s Fashion: Women's Two Piece skirt suit vintage reproduction.

Source: Etys-Mapledoram

Question Time! Would you wear this season Fall trend of the 2 Piece Skirt Suit? I know I would because it I have always loved this look. Share your comments below.

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:

Liz