Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Knit Fit for the Feet

Given my absolute obsession with 30s knitwear and crochetwear, is it any surprise I dream of these beach shoes, slippers, and sandals at night? Must make like a Depression-era dame and try to create a pair myself (a digital pattern for the pair of crocheted t-strap sandals in the third image is available on Etsy)...but isn't it fun to dream of actually finding a surviving vintage pair? The suits are also pretty cute, non?  I am sort of drooling over Myrna Loy's belted Jantzen and I love the way the last girl's halo-style braided headband matches her belt and suit straps.  Now, that's accessorizing!
















9 comments:

ina said...

Okey, one more thing on my list of things I want: knitted sandals.
Thank you very much ;)

Yesterday Girl said...

These are unbelievably adorable! And talking of adorable, I'm dribbling over the burgandy and grey plaid dress and bolero in Adeline's Attic. I have unfortunately empty pockets though this month. Boo hoo, sigh...xxx

Francy said...

Wow, the shoes are amazing!

Carys said...

You have inspired me so much with your love of 1930s knitwear and crochetwear, this is probably unimaginable to you, but it was a part of fashion history I didn't even know existed! Now I dream of an entire knitted beach outfit!! I absolutely love those shoes!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

Starr Crow said...

oh my good heavens, those shoes! i'm with cary, you always inspire me so much with the knitwear.

BaronessVonVintage said...

Hehe, sorry to make the list grow longer, Ina!

Yesterday Girl: I left you a little comment about that dress-bolero at your blog ;)

Pixie: I almost fell over when I saw that pattern on Etsy!!!

Carys, Starr: THANK YOU! I didn't really realize this aspect of 30s fashion myself until I really began immersing myself in the history, the clothes, and the magazines and pattern booklets. My knitwear monomania may have overemphasized the centrality of this aspect of Depression era style, but I DO think it reflects an important aspect of everyday middle class fashion in this time period. For me, it's as much about the garments and accessories as it is about the women shown modelling them. They are perfect examples of how, despite the hardships of "the hungry 30s," women were able (and encouraged to) make some amazing things for themselves. I'm struck by the idea that crocheted garments make have become popular due to the fact that the lace gowns upper class women wore might have been more costly than the average middle class woman could own. Maybe I'm stretching here, but I do think the levels of skill and patience that surviving pieces exemplify are extraordinary.....just another reason why they are so dear to my heart. SO glad you are inspired in this way!!

BaronessVonVintage said...

Oh, sorry, I was going to add that, although the women in the booklets are models, I think they represent groomed and slightly glamorous femininity, but it seems to be an attainable femininity (just knit a dress, add some gloves, a hat, some nice shoes. Voila! Crochet a couple of different collars and/or cuffs and you have even more outfit options. Heck, with the right patterns the women could knit or crochet their own gloves, hats, and (if going to the beach) shoes, so your idea of owning a top to toe crocheted outfit, Carys, would have been in line with the fashion idea(l)s in these booklets! Awesome, I think!

Andi B. Goode said...

I love these! I have some patterns for similar shoes (from the 50s) but can I still find the bases that I would need to attach the knitted/crocheted bit to, I wonder?
-Andi x

BaronessVonVintage said...

Good question! Maybe one would have to repurpose the soles from old sandals to use for this project?