Slit Hemlines, Slashed Backs, Low Necklines - Evening Gowns - 1934

More beauty from McCall's Magazine, October 1934.
"Since ankles and evening slippers are both so pretty, it is too bad not to show them."
"As you see necks are very high or very low."
These are lovely and there is a surprising amount of skin showing...you needed to have confidence to carry these off!

Three Degrees of Softness - 1943 Dresses

Three Degrees of Softness, another grouping from McCall's Magazine, April 1943. Each of these use pleats to create a less severe look. And they are each pretty interesting too. It's all about those details. And the hats, again with the hats!

"TAILORED BUT SOFT"--This describes at least half of the new shirtfrocks. Everybody can find a becoming one, now. The yellow dress falls into this softly tailored class, with its curved yokes and the gathers below them. No. 5229

COLLARLESS SHIRTFROCK--Many women like everything about a shirtwaister except its notch collar. The flame-colored dress is for them. The skirt is interesting. It has eight slim gores, the front ones saddle-stitched, No. 5217.

ONE FOR VERY BEST--The green dress is illustrated in a good rayon crape, tested rayon. This is one of the best of the draped style, and simpler to make, really, than a tailored frock. Very nice, too, made of a semi-sheer. No. 5225.

1943 Spring and Summer Wardrobe - McCalls Magazine

We have two pages from McCall's Magazine from April, 1943. Don't miss the hairdos, the gloves, and the hats. Oh, those hats!

One illustration is signed by Blanch Rothschild, who I could only find listed as an American Artist - 1893-1988.

This is a Spring Wardrobe.
The first set include the aqua dress, that is "especially for those who say, 'I can't wear shirtfrocks, they are too severe'. You can wear this one." The dotted crepe, "worn with town accessories, it looks like a soft suit." The Navy with "lingerie touches" has a "swing-over neckline."

To Keep for Summer
There are plenty of details to enjoy here, but I have to admit I think the gray with the contrast bodice does it for me. But maybe I'm influenced by her cute little hat. They do say that it is "a wonderful idea for getting one new dress out of two old ones". Remember this was wartime. The red dress "uses the border edge at the hemline only, which is smart of it.". The blue dress uses eyelet and it is "A good shoulder-broadening style. Use a piece of leftover material, printed or striped, can be used up smartly for yokes and sleeves, as in the white dress".