Original circa 1942 Advance Pattern No. 3056 - Dress with Buttoned Side Placket

Original circa 1942 Advance Pattern No. 3056 for a misses' dress designed for women's daytime wear during World War II. Cut to look like a blouse and skirt, it has gathered shoulder yokes, a convertible collar, a fly-front closing, a fitted band at the natural waistline, and a pleated skirt with rounded buttoned pockets and a buttoned side placket. Short sleeves with a full-length placket, or long or three-quarter sleeves with a hip-length placket. Complete Nice Condition, 14 of 14 pieces.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: Advance No. 3056
• Year: Circa 1942
• Garment: Misses' Dress
• Size: 12 (30" Bust, 25" Waist, 33" Hip)
• Condition: Complete Nice Condition, 14 of 14 Pieces

Design

Advance 3056 is a one-piece dress built to read as a blouse and skirt. The bodice hangs from front and back shoulder yokes, with soft gathers below, and closes with a fly front that hides its buttons under a separate band. A convertible collar can be worn open, and a fitted mid-section marks the natural waistline. The skirt has a pleat at center front and center back, rounded pockets fastened with a button, and a row of buttons down one side. View 1, with short sleeves, carries that buttoned placket the full length of the skirt; View 2, with long or three-quarter sleeves, stops it at the hip. A shoulder pad pattern is included. In size 12 the dress is 41 inches long at center back and about 1⅞ yards around the hem.

A Moment in Fashion History

In 1942 American dressmakers were adjusting to life in a country at war. Clothing was expected to be practical, hard-wearing, and easy to move in, and this dress answers all three: pockets that close, a skirt that opens down the side for easy dressing, and a crisp collar and yoke that look neat at a desk, a counter, or a volunteer post. The blouse-and-skirt construction gives the look of separates with the convenience of one garment, and the squared, padded shoulder and knee-skimming hem are the wartime silhouette at its most typical. Advance patterns were sold through J.C. Penney stores, putting styles like this within reach of women across the country.

Illustration

The envelope front and back are shown as scanned, framed on our blue mat without retouching, so the artwork appears in its true color and condition. On the left, View 1 is drawn in a striped fabric with short sleeves and a bow in her hair, the buttons running from waist to hem. On the right, View 2 is in solid rose-tan with three-quarter sleeves, white gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat, a soft bag tucked under her arm.

Connections

This pattern is part of our exhibit, Women of WWII -- a growing collection celebrating the resourcefulness and everyday style of wartime home sewing. Come take a look.