New York 1538: 1930s Stylish Uncut Misses Street Dress 38B Vintage Sewing Pattern
Original circa 1933-1934 New York Pattern No. 1538 - Ladies' Dress
Original circa 1933-1934 New York Pattern No. 1538 for an elegant Ladies' dress. This design opens at the left underarm seam, with an open neck finished by an attached rever collar and a choice of long or short sleeves. A panel-style front with inset side fronts gives the bodice real shape, and a back belt is inserted directly into the underarm seams for a clean, close waistline. Factory Folded and Unused.
Quick Facts
- Pattern Number: New York No. 1538
- Year: Circa 1933-1934 -- dated via Vintage4me2's New York Pattern catalog (shown on the same catalog page as No. 527)
- Garment: Ladies' Dress
- Size: 20 (38" Bust, 41" Hip)
- Condition: Factory Folded
Design
This dress opens at the left underarm seam rather than down the front, keeping the bodice's wide, notched rever collar uninterrupted from shoulder to shoulder. A panel-style front, built from inset side front pieces, shapes the torso without a single dominant seam line, while long or short sleeves offer seasonal flexibility. At the back, the belt is inserted directly into the underarm seams rather than worn separately, giving a close, integrated waistline that moves with the body. Ten pattern pieces in all.
A Moment in Fashion History
Underarm-seam closures and inset side-belt construction reflect the era's move toward a cleaner, less interrupted silhouette -- the visible fastenings and separate belts of earlier decades giving way to construction that let the eye travel the length of the body uninterrupted. The wide rever collar shown here was a hallmark of the early-to-mid 1930s, softening the shoulder line while still framing the face.
Illustration
The cover illustration has been digitally restored and enhanced by Judy Yates to highlight the original fashion artwork while preserving the character and artistry of this historic New York Pattern envelope.
Connections
This pattern is part of our ongoing exhibit, In Name Only -- a growing collection of New York Patterns and Own Name Patterns from the 1930s. Come take a look.
