A Look for a German Wartime Civilian: A Tailored Suit and Dress

 

Applying research, in this case assembling an outfit, can be daunting. Well, at least to me it can be! I remember my first events stepping out as a German civilian at events, I was nervous because although I had done my research on paper, applying it was another. I imagine I cannot be alone. I don't know about you, but I like to learn by examples. Seeing what others have done to serve as an inspiration and to serve as a guide to what to do and even what not to do. When I started this back in 2018 there was not much out there as examples, and I want to fix that. Since I learn best with real life examples, I imagine (or I like to) that you do too so I am starting a little thing here where I add my interpretations of what a German civilian would have worn in the 1940s. I hope that these examples can help you too in building a period wardrobe. 

To start, what am I working with? I am wearing a navy-blue tailored skirt suit and a red plain wool dress in a shirtwaist style. I liked these pieces together because they looked sharp and could be worn separate. My first look is the tailored suit jacket worn with the skirt and a plain white blouse. The second look uses the same tailored suit jacket worn over the plaid shirtwaist dress. Each look uses the same accessories - a navy-blue tilt hat with jaunty and interesting lines, a 1930s blue beaded necklace and a novelty brooch. Matching navy-blue brogues are the footwear, seamed nylons for the legs. 

My inspiration for this look came from both photographs, segments from period pattern books, and period fashion magazines. I wanted to document each piece the best that I could in style lines. You can see my inspiration and research below. The examples are from pages dated from 1940 - 1942. My main inspiration was the lady in the photo to the far left. Her sharp suit and jaunty hat were inspiring. She is also wearing a heeled shoe and what looks like a pin on her lapel. I could not find any period documentation for my exact hat I am wearing but I did find quite a few that were so close. I have included on here in the examples. Under my suit, is a plain white blouse. 

When putting together a look, do not be afraid of adding color, German women loved color which is evident in original clothes. For prints, do not be afraid of prints either but if you are starting out, plaids, checks, stripes are very simple and easy to identify. They are also very period correct. Also, look for pieces that can be worn together for added versatility - pieces that can be worn together or separate depending on the weather. To make the look appropriate for an average German civilian, I am not wearing any makeup, the natural look was the goal here which you can see. I did curl my hair, but the wind had relaxed the curl a great deal. The look is overall simple, there is some adornment with the necklace and brooch but that is it. One thing that I want to emphasize is that simple does not have to be boring and dull, simple can be elegant and beautiful in its own way with well-chosen, coordinated, pieces.