Forties Fashion #3: Sports & Leisure Wear 1940

I bet you all thought I had forgotten about this series, didn't you?  Well, I nearly did!

Once again though I've delved in to this fashion sourcebook and this time feature the penultimate illustrations for 1940 - that of Sports and Leisure Wear.

These first three lovely ladies are all set for a day of fun and relaxation (or as much as the war would have allowed, at any rate) and from left to right wear the following:

Holiday wear: dress in white linen patterned in red; bloused bodice from above wide shaped inset band; collar and wide lapels, short puff sleeves with padded shoulders; knee-length gathered skirt; small white straw hat with red ribbon trim, worn with red open-mesh cotton snood; white canvas shoes with peep toes.  (Speaking as a chap, it sounds very nice and something I fancy you ladies could get away with today.  There's been a string of red-and-white vintage fashions throughout the blogiverse and on television recently - South Riding anyone? - could there about to be a revival in time for Spring?).

Next, anyone for tennis?!  White cotton two-piece jumper suit consisting of hip-length collarless top with high round neckline, two small patch pockets with buttoned flaps, short inset sleeves & padded shoulders and self-fabric buckled belt; knee-length box-pleated skirt; white cotton ankle socks and white canvas slip-ons.

Still on the tennis courts the third outfit is: a knee-length white linen dress (fly fastening from under collar to hip level, tuck to hem of flared skirt), bloused bodice with welt pockets at chest-level; short sleeves and padded shoulders, self-fabric belt; large hip-level patch pockets with flaps from under belt; white leather wedge-heeled shoes with bow trim.

The final couple are obviously enjoyed a seaside break and wear, respectively: blue and white striped cotton sundress with wide plain white cotton shoulder straps matching bindings of shaped neckline and centre button fastening through hem and trim on angled hip-level shaped patch pockets; knee-length skirt gathered from waist; blue canvas sling-back, peep toe shoes with high-wedge heels.

Single-breasted beige linen-tweed jacket; three-button fastening with patch pockets and narrow lapels; straight-cut light brown flannel trousers with turn-ups; cream cotton shirt with blue and brown tie; natural straw high-crown trilby with blue petersham ribbon band and narrow brim turned up at the back; light-tan leather lace-up shoes.

(Note to self - I may have just found my ideal spring/summer wardrobe in that final outfit...!).

Roll on the warmer months!