Finished: 1930s Winter Plaid Jacket

1930s winter outfit

Outfit Details

1930s Winter Plaid Jacket – Made by Me
1930s Brown Wool Crepe Skirt – Made by Me
1930s Navy Crochet Hat – Made by Me
1930s Navy Crochet Scarf – Made by Me
Brown Faux Fur Scarf – Helen Moore
Vintage Navy Leather Gloves – Had for years
Brown 1930s Style Handbag – Molly’s Den
Navy 1930s Style Shoes – Revival Retro
Navy Drop EarringsShepton Mallet Flea Market

1930s winter plaid jacket

Well, this post has been a long time coming! I talked about the process of making this jacket way back in November and finally got it completed just before the end of that month. It was perfect timing as I could then wear it to London for my annual Christmas shopping trip. I also wore it a lot over the winter, keeping me toasty warm, so it’s definitely lived up to its name. In January I was so thrilled to find out that it had been chosen as the winner in the Best Outerwear category from the Vintage Pledge competition. So, despite taking a while to show you it, this baby has already had quite a journey.

1930s faux fur scarf

I’m showing it here in the two ways I generally wear it, with a wonderful faux fur scarf from Helen Moore and alternatively, with a made-by-me crochet scarf. The faux fur scarf has been an absolute godsend in the much colder weather as it adds a considerable amount of warmth to the jacket.

I’ve been after a Helen Moore piece for ages as she, not only produces the softest and most beautiful faux fur accessories, but also is a British designer who manufactures everything in the UK. This is something I will always support, so whilst in the process of making the jacket I decided I needed one of her golden bear asymmetric scarves to add an instant bit of glamour.

The crochet scarf was done using the left over yarn I had from the beret as I thought matching pieces would be very 1930s. I followed a random pattern I found for free on the internet that created a lovely texture and just guessed on the sizing. I wanted it to be narrow and fairly short to create a 1930s style scarf that would be worn like a cravat. I see this sort of look so often in my research of Autumn/Winter 1930s fashion.

1930s plaid jacket back

The pattern I used for the jacket was an original 1930s one that had been beautifully reproduced by the wonderful Mrs Depew. It came with four different versions, and a separate cape pattern, and I instantly knew I wanted to do the double breasted one with the pointed lapel. I also knew that a belt was a must to give it a slight casual or sportswear feel.

The instructions were typically sparse and so I relied heavily on previous knowledge and my 1930s sewing books for techniques. The only thing that was a bit of a pain was that the lapel fold line wasn’t marked on the pattern and this was very much a guess. I still don’t know if I got it in the right place, but it seems to have worked okay.

The jacket was made using a medium weight plaid wool from Ditto Fabrics, which I bought when it was on offer. It was pretty easy to work with and most of the time behaved itself. The collar and lapel don’t sit quite as sharply as I would hope but I think that’s mostly to do with adding in the additional domette interlining. This added extra bulk when turning them back which I hadn’t really planned for.

It also added a little bit extra bulk to the shoulders so, as there are already shoulder pads in there, the shoulders are a little tighter than they should be. This generally is fine but it does mean that the jacket has a tendency to pull me forward, so I have to remind myself to push my shoulders back!

1930s jacket and crochet accessories

The only bit that really annoys me on the jacket though is the top button area. You can see on the photo above that it pulls a little bit, making the vertical stripes of the plaid skew. This is not to do with the button placing, which would actually make it easy to rectify, but rather how I held the fabric whilst hand sewing the button hole. I could try and unpick it but I’m worried I’d do more damage than good.

The buttons and buckle took a long time to decide on. I initially wanted to use brown leather football buttons (like these) as they’re a classic country style and would match the plaid really well. However, not only did I need them in two different sizes, I also needed a buckle to match and that wasn’t going to be easy to find. But that wasn’t all, unfortunately the real leather football buttons are quite expensive and would’ve cost me about £20 just for the buttons. The cheaper faux leather ones just pale in comparison and I didn’t want to spoil the jacket with inferior buttons. It was a dilemma.

I then had a eureka moment! If I could find a small piece of brown leather I could then get the lovely people at The London Button Company to make two different sized buttons and a matching buckle. And they worked out even better than I had imagined and a lot cheaper than what I would’ve spent.

1930s country tweed outfit

1930s winter outfit back

I’m annoyed at myself that I didn’t photograph the best part of this jacket, and that’s the lining. It really is incredible. I used a very traditional paisley two-tone fabric which is often used in men’s tailoring but I chose the most amazingly bright gold/burgundy version from ClothSpot. It picks up the gold coloured line in the plaid perfectly and creates such a wonderful surprise when you open the jacket.

And talking about picking up the colours in the plaid, this jacket goes with so many of my skirts and trousers. It teams particularly well with my made-by-me mustard skirt and House of Foxy navy sailor trousers. However, this is definitely my favourite ensemble. It’s got a classic 1930s country look about it, particularly with the faux fur scarf. I’ve got a small amount of the fabric left over, so I’m now tempted to make a matching skirt and, if I can, a matching hat, although I’m not sure I’d wear all three together!

1930s country tweed outfit

 

Cate

Just a vintage gal suffering from the Golden Age syndrome. A lover of all things old, especially the 1930s, seamstress, crocheter, maker of hats and enjoys rummaging at flea markets.

43 Comments

  1. Beautiful jacket! Love it worn with the faux fur scarf!

    • Thank you Celia! Yes, that’s my favourite combination too. xx

  2. You have worked magic on this jacket, you must be so proud! It really did deserve a prize in the sewing challenge. I suppose there always be teeny things that aren’t quite 100%, but that’s just perfectionism and this jacket is sure to continue to be a staple. Love the plush faux fur, how glam! X

    • Aw, thank you! Yeah, I really am a perfectionist when it comes to what I make, I’m never 100% happy and things like that pulling on the button hole do annoy me a lot. xx

  3. Great to see this jacket finally get the blog post it deserves! I love the crocheted scarf as well, it goes beautifully with the jacket and beret.

    • Thank you Elaine! The day I saw you was the very first day I wore it, ah, that was such as great day! xx

  4. Aaah, that is so perfect! I’d never have noticed the skewing in the stripes if you hadn’t mentioned it. It’s a well-deserved win. I like the thought of the lining, too.

    • Oh thank you Mim! Hehehe, maybe I should’ve mentioned it and I could’ve gotten away with it! I’m so annoyed I didn’t photograph the lining, perhaps I’ll take a shot the next time I wear it and pop it on Instagram. xx

  5. Beautiful work, as always, Cate! I love these colours together and all the lovely wintery textures too. Very classic country and such a good example of elegant cold-weather dressing!

    • Thank you Tanith! I do love all the texture of this outfit, it’s something that always works really well in country wear, especially when so much of it is natural. Perhaps I should’ve included that in the post as the yarn I used is 100% cotton, the fabric of the jacket and skirt is 100% wool and the leather of the buttons and buckle is genuine hide. I’ll remember to state these things next time! xx

    • Thank you Eimear! I did love putting this ensemble together and it’s one I wear often! xx

  6. A gorgeous jacket – and absolutely brilliant in this outfit! Your beret is stunning too! Kx

    • Thank you Karen! I have Theodora Goes Wild to thank for the pattern of that beret, it’s very straightforward and such a lovely design. xx

  7. As ever, I admire your creations, Cate, and this jacket is particularly lovely. If only I had a fraction of your talent … It must be wonderful to be able to make your own clothes! I guess nobody but you will notice the skewing. It looks absolutely perfect to me, and so does your whole outfit. Love the faux fur scarf! xxx

    • Thank you Ann! I thought you might like this scarf, it really does keep me so warm and you can snuggle down in it when the wind blows. xx

    • Aw, thank you Kate! It can be a real pain to do sometimes but I think it’s worth it when I wear full on 1930s. xx

  8. The jacket looks lovely as does the whole outfit. You should be very pleased. I doubt anyone but you will ever notice the tiny faults.
    Lovely!

    • Thank you Norma! I’m never 100% happy with my makes, I’m way too much of a perfectionist. I am happy that I achieved it though, as it was a big project. xx

  9. This is gorgeous, I’m so very impressed! I love how the scarf totally transforms it too – such a good idea. You look wonderful <3

    • Thank you! You can’t beat a faux fur scarf and I should know, I have quite a few. This Helen Moore one is definitely my favourite though, is so beautifully soft. xx

  10. Wonderful job! The colour is perfect on you and I just love the whole outfit. Such a great piece to have in your wardrobe.

    • Thank you Liz! Yes, it has become quite a staple over the winter. I definitely need more jackets like this in my life! xx

  11. It’s fabulous! No wonder it won, gorgeous tweedy fabric too.

    • Thank you! It’s a beautiful fabric, I love all the different colours in it, it makes it so versatile. xx

  12. Oh how happy I am to have found your blog! Especially this post about your jacket! I mainly sew and wear Victorian-1920s so the 1930s is a totally foreign realm to me. But, now that I see how your jacket and skirt fit you, I feel way better about my jacket and skirt combo! It always pays to view how clothing looks on those who know what they are doing! Yours looks fabulous on you and I LOVE the plaid!
    Blessings!
    Gina

    • Welcome Gina and thank you for your lovely comments! I’m going to have to check out your blog too as I’d love to delve into earlier decades, although my heart will always belong to the 1930s. xx

    • Thank you Jessie! I’ve done your survey and if anyone else reading this is worried about clicking on it, it is genuine.

  13. Gorgeous, just the jacket, the outfit, everything! I love the colors of this ensemble and you are reinforcing my desire for a crochet 30’s hat. I need to learn to crochet first… but that is by the by, this blue one you have on is so cute!

    • Thank you Bianca! I highly recommend Theodora’s beret pattern as a beginner’s one to start with, it really is quite straightforward. I know mine isn’t perfect, mainly to do with losing count of stitches, but I love it anyway. It was really fun to do and it spurred me on to try other things. xx

  14. What an absolutely gorgeous look! I love the blue and brown together, and the fur scarf and knit hat really bring the whole look together. You picked a beautiful fabric for the coat, and I’m sincerely so impressed with how how period perfect it looks.

    • Oh thank you Jessica! I loved putting this outfit together and it has very quickly become a firm favourite. The jacket is just the most perfect everyday piece. xx

  15. This jacket is lovely , the shape is gorgeous, I like the way the belt enhances the shape, can imagine you wearing this a lot the colours will go with everything.
    Love the golden bear too, so glamorous

    • Thanks Emma! I always have to add a belt to everything, I just can’t do without enhancing my waist. I do wear it hell of a lot, in fact I wore it this morning! xx

  16. What a beautiful, tailored piece. Such a wardrobe staple too so I hope you get a ton of wear out of it! Love, love love the plaid!!!

    • Thanks Christina! Yes, I wear it a lot. It’s such a useful jacket to just grab and put on as it goes with almost everything. xx

  17. I love this post.I am looking forward to this moment when I can wear these 30s outfit on the street again. I am just in love with this. The hairstyle is also very special and feminin. It takes though a bit of time to create them but doesnt matter. I will take that one hour every day to have these beautiful hairstyle on. Come back 30s and make me happy!!!

    • The 1930s are already back in my world! There’s no need to wait for fashion trends, just do it if you love it.

  18. Super jacket! It just looks perfect to me. I like both your ways of accessorising. A matching set is always lovely and the faux fur adds a touch of glamour. Fabulous outfit.

    • Thanks Kate-Em! Yes, I think I’m going to do a few more matching sets, they’re always good to have when you haven’t got time to think of what goes together. xx

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