Australian Home Journal Spring 1942

Today in history a look at some of the fashions and articles from the Australian Home journal from October 1942 - Spring in Australia. My copy is a little ratty, especially the cover, but it is still very readable and has the original free patterns.

1942 was about the middle of WWII, and America had been in the war for almost a year. ' Sew and Save' and 'Make do and Mend' were popular catch cries. This article shows how to pick apart old clothes to make new ones - an evening dress into a night gown, a coat into a skirt and Mother's dress into a child's dress.

There were also instructions for making a summer hat out of left over dress fabric, and and making short socks, using only one clothing coupon instead of 4 for a pair of stockings! 

I am currently listing this and other vintage mags on Etsy, if you're interested.

Deb xx

Beautiful Hands Vintage Style

I was looking at my May 1942 Good Housekeeping Magazine this morning and found some more ads for hand care soaps and creams.  Even in the 1940s women used their hands for washing clothes and dishes a lot more than we do today.  Taking care of your hands was a big thing – as was looking pretty for your man.  These ads are all from the one issue.

The magazine also has lots of ads for deodorant and make up, and some lovely articles, which I’ll post another time. And there are lots more images on tumblr.

Stay beautiful!

Deb xx