Browse through: Burdastyle 9/1985

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

The most wonderful coincidence occurred. As Burdastyle September 1985 fell on my doorstep, that evening the 'Great British Sewing Bee' centered the theme of that episode around the 80's. I had looked through some pages that were available online and I was just shocked with the epicness of those shoulder pads. There is just not going around it. But, as luck would have it, episode 7 of season 6 included an informative bit around the shoulder pads and I started to appreciate it a bit more.

Short story, in the 80's a lot of women took into the workforce and to be viewed as peers by there male counterparts, the business suit (with the huge shoulder pads) came into fashion. It brought with it empowerment and the goal to smash the glass ceiling. If interested, it is highly recommended.

The issue.

Burda style September 1985

95 patterns including variations

131 pages

4,50 German Mark

Includes children's patterns and plus size patterns

Burda in the 80's was definitely more of a lifestyle magazine. In the overview we see different subjects like crafts (knitting, cross stitching), beauty, entertainment, house and family (recipes or plant care). I will not show all these pages as the magazine totals 131 pages.

What else is different to modern issues is that most patterns come in one size or two at the most. Apparently everybody knew how to grade patterns up or down.

The magazine takes off with a word off Aenne Burda herself.

Left is a full circle skirt with pockets and a top combined as set 104. Over that, and on the right page jacket 103. It's a straight model with patchpockets

Left in bright pink top 106. The front and the sleeves are gathered. Below in lila the top of the set 104 and jacket 103 as shown in the previous page. Right businesssuit 105 made of a jacket and pants.

Left, pleated skirt 109 with pockets and sweater 108. Right, dress 107 with jabot (tie-like accessory)

On the left sweater 115 has cuffs and pleated skirt 114. On the right coat 110 has raglan sleeves and patchpockets. pants 111 has pockets and blouse 112.

Left dress 117, middle same dress without removable cuffs and collar. Right coat 116.

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Left: blouson 118 in bright blue, in middle insert (not very visible) skirt 119 with asymmetric pleats. Stirrup pants 120 (I had wikipedia translate it).

Left jumpsuit 121, right commercial for laundry detergent. 😊

Far left and far right coat 112 with slanted pockets. Skirt 123 with pleats. 124 is the bright blue set in the middle insert, made from a wrap top and skirt. In red 125 blouse.

Left blazer 129 with notch lapels. 130 is the black skirt and 131 is the white blouse with the removable jabot. On the right she is wearing pleated skirt 127. Blouse 128 has a shawl collar. Blazer 126 is worn over it. In the insert coat 122 is worn over it.

Skirt 130, white blouse 131 with removable jabot. Blue blouse with shawl collar. Right an ad for beauty cream

Dress 132 with double collar.

Then for some plus-size patterns. Far left sweater 135. Top insert partial pleated skirt 136. Right on the left page blouse 138 and fully pleated skirt 138. Right coat 134

Biker jacket 139 far left and right. 140 is the bright pink blouse. 141 is the gingham set of the pleated skirt and the necktie.

On the right long shirt tunic 142 and pants 143.

Shirtdress 144 on the left.

And another shirtdress 145.

Blouse 150 in red. Sweater 149 with knitted (instructions included) collar. Pants 151.

Right page: coat 146 and 147 pants.

Jumpsuit 152 and coat 106 again in the insert.

Pants looking like a skirt 154 and parka 153.

Blouse 148 and vest 155.

Coat 156 and skirt 157.

Soat 101.

Shirtdress 102.

And now for the kids models. From the left to the right shirt and pants 167. Shirt and skirt 169. Shirt and skirt 170. Shirt and blouson 174. Shirt and pants 165. 171 is pants on the far right. also instructions for the knitted sweater are included.

From the left, shirt and pants 172. Jumpsuit 175. Dress 173.

From the left, coat and pants 176. Instructions are included for knitted sweater. Pants, vest and blouse 177.

Next we have the Miss B patterns. They are catered to a younger audience and are classified as easy to make. So the garments are perfect for the young beginning seamstress. The patterns and instruction are on a third, separate pattern sheet. 

Left is long coat 5 with patch pockets. On the right blouse 7 and pants 6.

On the left jacket 8, in the insert blouse 9 and leather skirt 10. On the right leather jacket 11 en insert sweater 12 and plisee skirt 13.

On the left blouse 4 under vest 2 and  pants 3. On the right and in the insert blazer 1.

And we conclude with the preview for October 1985

The must-makes.

Coat 116 is still somewhat wearable today.

Blouse 128 with the shawl collar is pretty fun.

Shirtdress 102 is very versatile.

All links to generation challenge here:

So what are your favorites

Do you have any favorite patterns? Have you actually made a pattern from this issue? I would love to hear about it, please leave a reaction.