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Novelty print: What do you see?

Discussion in 'PUBLIC Vintage Fashion - Ask Questions Get Answers' started by denisebrain, Jun 21, 2013.

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  1. denisebrain

    denisebrain VFG Vice President Staff Member VFG Past President

    Rayon outfit, dating from the early 40s, maybe a little earlier. The print's figure can be seen turned in various directions, and I think I am rooting for a soldier with his thumbs up. In that case the helmet looks like WWI to me. Any thoughts about the print and what it portrays?

    navywh40sthumbsupsuit1v.jpg

    navywh40sthumbsupsuit4v.jpg

    P6215538.JPG P6215539.JPG
     
    denisebrain, Jun 21, 2013
    #1
  2. The Vintage Merchant

    The Vintage Merchant Administrator Staff Member

    oh, DEFINITELY soldier w/double thumbs up! :USETHUMBUP:
     
    The Vintage Merchant, Jun 21, 2013
    #2
  3. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    i agree with WWI soldier and thumbs up. I think it was a motif of the time.
     
    Retro Ruth, Jun 21, 2013
    #3
  4. sewingmachinegirl

    sewingmachinegirl VFG Member

    Yep just as you said Maggie- gosh its fabulous!
     
    sewingmachinegirl, Jun 21, 2013
    #4
  5. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    Check these out, ebay items 160931483955 and 161045522463

    [​IMG]

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    Retro Ruth, Jun 21, 2013
    #5
    denisebrain likes this.
  6. denisebrain

    denisebrain VFG Vice President Staff Member VFG Past President

    Ah, so! I was wondering if a WWI soldier with thumbs up was something dredged up at the time of WWII. I appreciate your help!
     
    denisebrain, Jun 21, 2013
    #6
  7. cmpollack

    cmpollack VFG Member

    Wow, that is an amazing print, and the comparison examples Ruth found are wonderful!
     
    cmpollack, Jun 21, 2013
    #7
  8. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    The postcode and pin both date to WWI time, but I can't find anything specific about it. Yes, perhaps they brought it up again in WWII.
     
    Retro Ruth, Jun 21, 2013
    #8
  9. themerchantsofvintage

    themerchantsofvintage Alumni

    I see :USETHUMBUP::USETHUMBUP: too. Great print!
     
    themerchantsofvintage, Jun 21, 2013
    #9
  10. poppysvintageclothing

    poppysvintageclothing VFG Member Staff Member VFG Past President

    That is pretty nifty! I bet Jonathan would have liked that for his 40s book!
    It might work for his exhibition. I don't know if he is still adding to that.
    WARdrobe: Fashion during World War II
     
    poppysvintageclothing, Jun 21, 2013
    #10
  11. Metro Retro Vintage

    Metro Retro Vintage VFG Member

    What a cute print! And Ruth found the source! Wonderful!
     
    Metro Retro Vintage, Jun 21, 2013
    #11
    Leonardo Da Vintage likes this.
  12. Better Dresses Vintage

    Better Dresses Vintage Alumni

    WOW! Totally agree. Thumbs up! That's remarkable, Maggie.
     
    Better Dresses Vintage, Jun 21, 2013
    #12
  13. Pinkcoke

    Pinkcoke Alumni

    Maybe this is stretching it too far, but it could be promotion of the black out - the air raid wardens who enforced the black out (at least in the UK) wore helmets like that which were often white. I was reminded of this due to the recent death of Dad's army actor Bill Pertwee who's famous line was 'Put that light out!' but it would fit with the dress's colour scheme too.
     
    Pinkcoke, Jun 22, 2013
    #13
    denisebrain likes this.
  14. Jonathan

    Jonathan VFG Member

    Great print - I think it may be inspired by wearing white for blackouts - and the helmet does resemble a WWII ARP (air raid patrol) helmet which looks like a WW1 soldier's helmet. The thumbs up isn't a motif I have seen used during WWII but if this is early war it could be revived from WW1. The style of the dress looks pre 1942 to me, so that fits. Most of the air raid precautions in the U.S. were done at the very beginning of U.S. involvement, winter 1941/42, by 1943 it was clear there weren't going to be any aerial bombings and ARP got slack. If this dress is English, or the fabric is English, then it could be 1940-41. Wearing white at night during blackouts was recommended to avoid being hit by cars.
     
    Jonathan, Jun 22, 2013
    #14
    The Vintage Merchant likes this.
  15. Jonathan

    Jonathan VFG Member

    And now its mine!
     
    Jonathan, Jun 22, 2013
    #15
    Leonardo Da Vintage, The Vintage Merchant, vintagedevotion and 1 other person like this.
  16. pastperfect2

    pastperfect2 Alumni +

    It's perfect for WARdrobe!
     
    pastperfect2, Jun 22, 2013
    #16
  17. denisebrain

    denisebrain VFG Vice President Staff Member VFG Past President

    I'm honored...and so glad to hear more about it! Thank you Jonathan!
     
    denisebrain, Jun 22, 2013
    #17
  18. thespectrum

    thespectrum VFG Member Staff Member

    :clapping:
     
    thespectrum, Jun 22, 2013
    #18
  19. poppysvintageclothing

    poppysvintageclothing VFG Member Staff Member VFG Past President

    I knew it!!!! Happy to hear it will be part of your WARdrobe collection, Jonathan and that Maggie made a quick sale too!
     
    poppysvintageclothing, Jun 22, 2013
    #19
  20. Rue_de_la_Paix

    Rue_de_la_Paix VFG Member

    Great dress and now it has found the perfect new home!
     
    Rue_de_la_Paix, Jun 22, 2013
    #20
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