Original circa 1938 Vogue Pattern No. 8065 - Junior Miss Shorts and Shirt

Original circa 1938 Vogue Pattern No. 8065 for a women's Junior Miss tennis playsuit: box-pleated shorts that swing like a skirt, paired with a tuck-in shirt blouse that buttons down the front. The shorts are finished on a belt that buttons to the blouse, so the outfit stays neat on the court. Complete and in Nice Condition.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: Vogue No. 8065
• Year: Circa 1938
• Garment: Junior Miss Shorts and Shirt
• Size: 15 (33" Bust, 36" Hip)
• Condition: Complete Nice Condition

Design

Vogue 8065 is a two-piece playsuit made for active days. The tuck-in shirt blouse has a collarless neckline, a button front, a patch breast pocket, and very short sleeves that leave the arms free to swing. The shorts are cut with deep box pleats, so they look like a short pleated skirt while moving like shorts. They are finished on a belt that buttons to the blouse and close with a slide fastener. Eight pieces, cut in Junior Miss sizes 11 through 17.

A Moment in Fashion History

In the 1930s, women's sportswear changed quickly. On the tennis court, long skirts gave way to shorts that let players run and reach freely, and box pleats were a clever way to keep the modest look of a skirt. Vogue offered this design in its Junior Miss line, sized for younger, slimmer figures, and the envelope's illustration pairs it with a tennis racket, ankle socks, and a jaunty beret.

Connections

Vogue's box-pleated tennis shorts and tuck-in shirt show how far women's sportswear had come by the late 1930s, and they make a ready-made costume for a vintage tennis star, racket and all. Explore our ongoing exhibits showcasing Vogue's fashion-forward offerings for home sewing, Always in Vogue, and casual looks for girls and women moving through history, Sporty Looks for Active Gals, and our limited-time exhibit of masquerades, pageants and make-believe, Costumes for All Ages from All Eras, before it closes.