NOVEMBER 7, 2011

Hey, fashionistas-os. I’m mixing it up this week with the throwbacks on account of that while I was doing some research I found some fashion lingo from the 30s and 40s. I found it a little entertaining and thought you might, too. Brush up on your fashion terms and enjoy!

Babushka - a scarf or handkerchief worn over the hair, appeared around 1938, as part of the peasant look.

Bakelite - a popular plastic used to make jewelry, buttons, knobs and other household items

Bermuda shorts - long men's shorts, popular during warm weather months

Bobby socks (sox) - white ankle socks, worn by young girls and teenagers, typically with saddle shoes, starting in the early-mid 40's.

Cloche - a close-fitting, bell-shaped hat worn pulled down over one's forehead. Typically associated with the bobbed hair of the 1920's and 30's.

Dirndle - a skirt with a gathered waistline, part of the peasant look of the late 1930's.

Chemise - a slip like dress, also used to refer to a slip.

Jodphers - riding pants, designed to wear boots. Often worn for weekend or work wear. British Land Army uniforms, and early U.S. uniforms both have jodphers.

Juliet - a women's hairstyle in which the crown is smooth and the hair is curled into a fluff just below the ears. Based on Norma Shearer's hairstyle in the movie Juliet.

Knickerbockers - short knee length pants, also known as knickers that were typically worn by golfers, baseball players and young boys. This style pant was phasing out of fashion for everyone except baseball players by the 1940's, although still pictured in the Sears catalog for young boys.

Peplum - gathered fabric or extra fabric that hangs below the waist line.

Saddle Shoes - originally designed as athletic shoes, often worn by teenage girls. Sears catalog shows them worn with both socks and stockings, and with either a red or white sole. Note that period examples seem to usually have a heel.

Sloppy Joe Sweater - long, baggy pullover sweater, commonly worn with blue jeans. Typically worn by teenage girls in high school or college.

Snood - a crocheted or knitted sack that's worn over and around one's hair, usually pinned on the lower part of one's head. Sometimes it's pinned to a hat, or other head piece, and sometimes it's worn as evening wear in the absence of a headpiece.

Spectators - two-toned shoes for men or women, usually in pump, wedge or oxford form.

Swing Skirt - a full, round cut or flared skirt that was designed to "swing out" when jitterbugging. Often worn with the sloppy joe sweater. Mid-late 1940's.

Zoot Suit - a men's suit, with tapered, tight cuffed pants and a long coat with wide lapels. Often topped with a wide brimmed fedora. Often pinstriped and can be found in many colors. Originated in New York, and are often associated with young men who were unable to serve in WWII because they were 4F.