Here is a late 1940s "wrap" dress. You can see how the style is starting to edge into the 1950s with the emphasis on wider shoulders and hips.

Above left: Here are my father's glamourous parents, right in the middle of the "swing" era and all dressed up for a Hollywood party. My grandmother was a knock-out, wasn't she? Wish we could see her entire dress. She was known for her beautiful taste in fashion. Above right: Here are my grandparents in 1947, shortly after my father was born.

These are my grandparents, holding my mother (on the right) and her sister in the late 1940s.

These are my grandparents, Reichardt and Elizabeth Taylor, on their wedding day in 1944. As was common with many young women in the 1930s and '40s, my grandmother wore a nice suitdress for her wedding, including a matching hat with veil.

Flattering day dresses from the mid-1940s. Note the details of the gathered shoulder seams and scallops on the dress on the left.

The ruffled, casual look of the country girl--even down to the braids the model on the left is wearing!

The dress on the right looks just right for an afternoon shopping. The one on the right has the "college girl" look.

It is easy to see the beginnings of 1950s styling in this 1948 pattern by McCall's. The skirts are fuller, and the focus is on the waist. This is especially noticeable on the dress with the diagonal stripes emphasizing the hourglass shape.

These suits are beautifully tailored and very appropriate for Fall and Winter wear.

The dress on the right would be appropriate to wear to an afternoon party or wedding. The one on the left is suited for shopping or a day at the office.

Smart dresses for day wear.

I especially like the short-sleeved version of this 1940s suit.

These pretty dresses feature neat pocket detailing.

Two cute variations on the sailor theme! These are from the mid-to-late 1940s.

Here are four mid-1940s blouses, suitable for day wear.

I love this sharp dress with the buttons down the side!

A crisp Hollywood pattern for a fitted jacket with matching skirt or slacks.

A neat dress with pleated skirt, circa 1945.

A teen dress from the late 1940s for school.

That famous tailored 1940's look.

I love this pattern for a fitted suit.

Crisp blouses from 1945. Note the hairstyles on the models.

Here is a great pattern for a lady's playsuit or dress.

This is a wonderful teen look. It reminds me a lot of Shirley Temple's clothing from her teen films.

A teenager's dress, circa 1944.

Another teen dress--this one with a bit of a "south-of-the-border" flavor to it.

Vogue Patterns has brought out its "new" line of "Vintage Vogue" patterns--reprints from the archives that are absolutely fabulous. If you want to make your own, here is the place to go! Be sure to visit the Vogue Patterns Website to see more from this wonderful collection. Please note that I cannot make and sell outfits from these patterns, since Vogue has stipulated that restriction on the patterns--they may not be made for resale. But you're certainly welcome to try them out yourself! (Images copyright Vogue Patterns 1999)