Clothes for Girls, c. 1947

I bought this sweet little book on Etsy for $5 recently. This gem was written by Elizabeth Todd, Professor of Home Economics Education, University of Georgia.


It's actually a primer (textbook), for high school girls, on dressing well. It includes a wealth of information on wardrobe-planning and clothing care, and a few sewing projects too.

I love the wonderful period illustrations and photos!


There are a few pattern photos too, provided by Simplicity:


My absolute favorite part of the book is the wardrobe-planning section though. Here is a Fall/Winter wardrobe plan from the book, you can click all of these for a closer peek!


Here's one for Spring/Summer, with prices! The challenge was to spend $35 or less.


And this one must have been very glamorous and exciting for a 1940's era high school girl; it's the clothing budget for an employed girl in San Francisco, age 18-20!


In the planning section, this question is posed:

How can wise decisions and wise purchases be made?

The suggestions given by a mother of two were these:

A fundamental rule of many years is: Never buy any article of clothing just because it is pretty, a bargain, or because somebody else does. Give it these tests:
1. Is it needed?
2. Will it go with your other clothes?
3. Is it your type?
4. Is the material good?
5. Is the garment well styled?
6. What about the upkeep?

Still sound advice, nearly 70 years later! I don't know about all of you, but I would do well to tape this list up somewhere near the laptop for when those impulse shopping urges hit.

I've spent most of the afternoon reading the first several chapters of this book. It's so interesting how relevant the information is, although I could do better about practicing much of it.

Personally, one of my New Years Resolutions is to declutter and simplify my life. I, like so many Americans, have too much "stuff". I find the information in this little book is especially inspiring in light of that!

I hope you're having a fabulous week. I'm stalled on my HP Belle skirt, waiting on a trip to the store for buttons, alas. The upside is, that's sort of permission to go ahead and start one of those Burda magazine patterns, right?