How does a girl keep warm?

[Sunny]

lol lol lol :eusa_clap

 

[Puzzicato]

According to the book I am reading at the moment to avoid a chill women should wear high-necked, long sleeved woollen combinations next to the skin. Apparently cotton combinations are a sure-fired way to take cold.

 

[Land-O-LakesGal]

According to the book I am reading at the moment to avoid a chill women should wear high-necked, long sleeved woollen combinations next to the skin. Apparently cotton combinations are a sure-fired way to take cold.

My husbands aunt had to live with her grandmother for a time while her mother was ill. She said she always made her wear her woolies so she would not get ill on the farm in North Dakota in the winter.

 

[Puzzicato]

It sounds very itchy to me - I bet it wasn't cashmere! Although I have worn merino thermal underwear and that was very soft.

 

[Land-O-LakesGal]

I totally agree Puzzicato I don't think I cold have handled that much wool all over way too itchy.

 

[Jools]

Vintage Winter Wear

I think I'm a bit older than a lot of ladies here....and I asked my Mom, who is 88. First of all, what most women wore in the 1940s were suits. Wool suits, with typically a cashmere or wool sweater underneath, most typically short sleeved, high waisted, and with a round or mock-turtle neck.

Over that she wore a long wool coat OR her 3/4 length fur coat. (we have lots of pictures of her in it.) Many wool coats had fur collars, BTW. Gloves, mandatory at all times. Mittens...only for snow sports, or those under the age of 12.

Galoshes were mandatory over your shoes, OR she wore "snow boots". I have a pair, in black suede, with low little heels, trimmed in mink. You would carry your shoes to wherever you were going in a bag, so as not to ruin them in the snow or rain. When I say "snow boots", think short cute boots, not Uggs. I got them off Ebay, by searching "fur trimmed boots."

As far as headwear, what most women today think of as "vintage hats" are really more "cocktail" hats than streetwear. Typical winter hats were fur felt or wool felt, in styles from the fedora (very popular during WWII), the cloche (still popular after the 1920s), berets, and some pretty large brimmed hats. Women didn't wear knit caps, except for sports, because it would wreck your coiffure.

There is a milliner someone mentioned here from Seattle who has great hats, also check out Annie DuVuono and Mikele Keiffer,in the Seattle area. (the lady on Etsy, cannot remember her name, makes fabulous hats, I have tried them on.)

BTW, my mom kept toasty warm in Alaska in the 1940s in the outfit described above. When I was in school, we were not allowed to wear pants of any kind...when it snowed, we would wear pants under our skirts/dresses and change at school!

Horrifyingly enough, I probably have 30 vintage coats of all descriptions! One of my favorites is a 1940s powder blue wool in a princess cut, with a huge fox fur collar. A favorite vintage line of mine is Lilli Ann, which is easy to search for on Ebay. At some point I will probably part with all, or at least most of my coats!

Stay warm!

 

[Drappa]

How cute are these collars!

All currently at Asos.

 

[bunnyb.gal]

I noticed those too...on my wish list!

 

[chanteuseCarey]

A good winter slip is worth trying too -- Vermont Country Store has a nice simple knit cotton one which can be surprisingly warm if you layer it. I wear it over my regular slip, and it doesn't add much bulk at all.

Thanks Lizzie Maine for this tip, I'll look for that.

 

[Frenchy56]

I don't find keeping warm vintage-style a problem in terms of clothing- I go for pencil skirts and trousers in wool or tweed, plus layers on top. The main problem I have is footwear for snowy/icy weather. It doesn't snow too much here, but when it does you *have* to have a suitable pair of boots, and as far as I am concerned there are no boots truly good enough for snow that also match an elegant, feminine 40s look. You really need something with a thick sole, no heel and a good tread on the bottom, that covers your whole foot/ankle.

Today I bought some good snow boots, they look a lot like men's work boots really- tan suede/leather, with a thick white sole and black ankle cuff. Not particularly feminine or attractive, and it pains me to think about wearing them with my lovely skirts and dresses (and even trousers), but there really is no other choice when we get such freak weather!

I've always wondered, surely women in the 40s had this problem too? There are lots of pictures on here of the kind of dainty footwear we associate with the period, and whilst I know oxfords and loafers are slightly sturdier shoes, there must have been women forced to wear heavy, ugly boots like the ones I bought, whilst still dressing in the 40s style?

 

[LizzieMaine]

This post from the Footwear For Winter thread might be just what you're looking for. It's sort of a pastiche version of what a vintage snow boot of the sort you're looking for would have looked like.

Actual women of the 1930s-40s era who had to drudge thru drifts of snow generally wore "chore boots," which were utilitarian high-lacing leather things that were basically Army boots in ladies' sizes. Not very decorative, but they did the job. Rubber pacs were also available in women's sizes -- look in the farm section of any vintage Sears catalog for more ideas.

 

[Frenchy56]

Actual women of the 1930s-40s era who had to drudge thru drifts of snow generally wore "chore boots," which were utilitarian high-lacing leather things that were basically Army boots in ladies' sizes. Not very decorative, but they did the job

That makes me feel a lot better about the horrible clumpy Timberland-type boots I bought today! Might post a picture, hopefully someone else might come forward and admit they own a pair I guess when you have occasional heavy snow fashion goes slightly out the window for most people.

Thanks for showing me those threads, those boots are nice! So nice that I'd probably fear to wear them out in snow

 

[Puzzicato]

I guess when you have occasional heavy snow fashion goes slightly out the window for most people.

Yup - I have abandoned all pretence of glamour this week! My red lipstick smudges on my scarf when it is pulled up to my nose, with a woolly hat pulled down over my ears the best I can do with my hair is a ponytail and my warmest sweaters aren't very cute.

 

[MariantheLibrarian]

Roaman's is selling cotton rib knit "bloomers" in their thermals section. They appear to fit more like cotton bike pants, and look like they'd be very cozy under skirts. I just bought a set myself. http://bit.ly/fl8xWM

ETA: Although the page is in the plus-size section, the sizing starts at a 7 and goes up to a 15.

 

[Penny Dreadful]

I'm from Winnipeg, which might as well be the north pole. We get down to -40 WITHOUT the windchill sometimes. ACK! I've been trying to make do with layers, wearing corsets, slips, stockings, crinolines with swing dresses, and big fluffy sweaters. I seem to have very Victorian tendencies when it comes to underwear, I usually wear much more than I need and over-complicate it to death. Right now I would love to be wearing the pretty red sweater my friend just gave me with a swing skirt, but I'm a little afraid as I have to be leaving soon, and it's about -30 out! So unfortunately I look very, VERY modern in leather pants Wondering if I should just go for it and change.

 

[Rosie_Beau]

With the weather getting cold and wet here in the UK I thought I might BUMP this thread.
Anyone else got any ideas on how to keep warm and dry this autumn and winter?
I really need to sort out my winter wardrobe.
Thanks!

 

[Kate O Potato]

With the weather getting cold and wet here in the UK I thought I might BUMP this thread.
Anyone else got any ideas on how to keep warm and dry this autumn and winter?
I really need to sort out my winter wardrobe.
Thanks!

I've been having similar thoughts, Rosie.

First things first, head down to M&S and buy some thermals! They also have some very lovely woolly tights in there too. My next step was to invest in a second quilted circle skirt - my first has already been called upon this autumn, so I'm guessing the more, the better! Some nice fifties style cardigans would both cover the ugly thermals and go well with skirts - I got two at United Colours of Benetton last winter with cute pearly buttons, but loads of high street shops have round neck cardigans in a similar style. I'm topping all that off with a trench coat which is as long as my fifties skirts and is also waterproof! Sorted!

Footwear-wise, I've invested in some Clarks brogues, which are keeping the splashes out thus far. I'm not sure what their boot collection is like, but if you're feeling flush, Miss L Fire have some lovely winter boots!

 

[Rosie_Beau]

Thanks for the advice! How much were your cardigans? Me and my boyfriend love the M&S knitware section. Mmm feel the wool! Haha!

I've been seriously wanting a quilted circle skirt since last winter and love the one you recently got. I saw it on your blog!
I tend to feel like a frump in the winter because all the layers hide my waist. I've also been thinking about getting some base layers from an outdoor shop like Blacks. If they're hidden then no one will know I'm wearing thermals and therefore realise that underneath my clothes I'm not naked.

 

[maristella]

I mainly go for layering and plenty of warm underwear. I've bought myself some thermals and thick tights for the winter. I even made myself some French knickers made out of floral flannelette, just to keep me warm when wearing some of my more voluminous skirts.

As for footwear, I'm quite stuck in my ways and mainly stick to my black or brown long boots. I'd love some galoshes but haven't been able to find any!

 

[LinaSofia]

good idea to revive this thread! I have one top tip for winter for the times when you want to feel authentic and wear your girdle or suspender belt but regular stockings are too thin.... cut off some woolly tights!! I did this the other day. I had some nice brown wool tights, but they were the annoying kind that gives you "saggy crotch", there's nothing more uncomfortable is there! So I just chopped them off at the top of the thigh and now use them with a suspender belt. Perfect! If you get a chilly bottom you can stick on a pair of bloomers over the top .

There are wool stockings available, but they are usually very expensive.

Shoes-wise, I've hit the jackpot! I bought a pair of hardly worn vintage lace-up ankle boots for £4 from a charity shop! score!

I'm on the hunt for a 40s winter coat though... as the gorgeous one I have is 2 sizes too small