Genetic Fashion Memory.

You've heard of the collective unconscious and ancestral memory: Is there a genetic fashion memory - because if so, I think I have one.  Some styles of the past seem so familiar, I feel myself wearing them.  This fashion+memory+feeling occurred - yet again - while reading the Stella Blum-edited Everyday Fashions of the Thirties.  Actually, "observing/absorbing" are more accurate words than "reading" - as the book is very visual - brimming with photographs and illustrations gleaned from Sears Roebuck and Co. catalogues. 

These Semi-Made fashions did not tickle my fashion memory, however the construction technique seemed particularly clever and prompted a blog-post idea.  As usual, I conducted an online search to see if anyone else has blogged the topic... I don't want to be redundant.  Yes, someone had - but as is often the case, the blogger and I share similar interests - which leads me to another topic of conversation.  

This like-minded thinking/blogging phenomenon once prompted me to start the questionably-named and short-lived blog "Comment Cultivator".  After noticing time and again that some titles, names, and phrases I was so ecstatic to imagine had also been amazingly thought-of by someone else - I just decided to go-with-the-flow and leave nice comments on blogs of like-minded thinkers, considering the occasion a special one of connection.

Here are the intriguing images Stella Blum discovered in the old Sears catalogues and added to Everyday Fashions of the Thirties (p.7).  They are "Semi-Made Modern Apparel styles" - mostly manufactured, which the customer then finishes herself or takes to the local seamstress for final adjustments... so smart!

Sears Semi-Made Modern Apparel styles of the 30s, "Everyday Fashions...", editor Stella Blum.

Sears Semi-Made Modern Apparel styles of the 30s, "Everyday Fashions...", editor Stella Blum.

Sears Semi-Made Modern Apparel styles of the 30s, "Everyday Fashions...", editor Stella Blum.

Now, read more about these garments and Everyday Fashions of the Thirties, edited by Stella Blum - at this SeamstressErin Ph.D. post and then, if you are as impressed as I am with Erin's posts and creations, read this Oh My! Handmade interview.