Budgeting Your 1939 Summer Wardrobe
From the May 1939 Mademoiselle I purchased at the Alameda Point Antique Fair, here’s a little guide for budgeting your summer wardrobe in pre-war (or rather pre-US involvement) and pre-rationed America. According to the inflation calculator I used, the $147.71 that would be spent on three months of clothing in 1939 would be adjusted to $2,278.42 in 2010 prices. I suspect that like our magazines of today, they were strictly aspirational.
If you, in 2010, want to use this as a guide for your own summer wardrobe, here’s a bigger version of the summer budget file.
From the same issue, this pre-Photoshop disaster. Can you spot what’s missing?
I love the photo oops!
And the budget sheet — so according to them, you should spend 1/4 your monthly income on clothing. Wow, I need to spend more on clothing, lol!!
haha so funny!
At first I found it hard to pick because the two floral sleeve heads blend, then I got it. But as I was sitting there in wonderment I realised that Miss Left has the same condition as Miss right, neither of them seem to require a right arm!
Clearly, I’m not spending enough money on clothes! And who knew I should be budgeting for “reefer?” (!) My summer wardrobe now appears woefully inadequate. I do have two arms, though, so hey, at least I’ve got that going for me.
Those women appear to be sharing an arm.
You could have a lot of fun with this photo: how about siamese twins attached at the shoulder? And only two arms between the two of them. I love the budget for 3 months of clothing but I have never spent (today’s prices) that for even a year when I was working. At the time I was wearing nice business suits too.
Strange how she only needs 3 pairs of panties for the entire year!
I too aspire to spend this much on my clothes!! Although I’m not sure I want to really look like the lady on the left, she has rather evil eyes!!