Vintage Full Skirted Dresses - 1957

Full skirted party dresses like these from 1957 are a perennial favorite with my customers.  Nothing makes your waist look tinier than a full skirt and these dresses just have a certain romanticism to them.  What about you?  Do you like wearing this style?

At left:  Dansant ice blue taffeta dress with sequined bodice.  Sold for $45 in 1957 (about $363 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Betty Lane separates give the look of a dress.  Blue satin blouse with a white lace skirt.   Sold for $27 in 1957 (about $193 in today's dollar.)

At left:  Dansant strapless taffeta adorned with rhinestone studded lace.  Sold for $50 in 1957 (about $403 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Dansant nylon ruffles with a wide taffeta waistband.   Sold for $50 in 1957 (about $403 in today's dollar.)

At left:  Carole King black silk organza with silk and silver lurex skirt.  Sold for $25 in 1957 (about $202 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Carole King cotton and silk blend dress with gold printed highlights.  Sold for $25 in 1957 (about $202 in today's dollar.)

At left:  Jo Collins silk shantung and organza dress with a pretty rose print.  Sold for $30 in 1957 (about $242 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Junior Flair floral print chiffon dress.  Sold for $30 in 1957 (about $242 in today's dollar.)

Jonathan Logan (a favorite label of mine)  blue roses print on nylon chiffon.  The taffeta lining is also printed with roses for a shadow effect.  Sold for $25 in 1957 (about $202 in today's dollar.)

Vintage Swimsuit Inspiration - 1956

Check out the neckline of that little jacket.  See how the opening extends into rounded tabs with buttons?  Love that!  Set by Andre Ledoux Sports.

At the beach, wear your hair in a simple braid.  Blue and white polka dot rayon skirted suit by Laure Belin.

Border printed fabric offers lots of opportunities to change the look of a design.  Simple white mules and a parasol are the perfect accessories.  Set by Laure Belin.

Slits in the skirt mimic the V-neckline in a nice example of design symmetry.  A vintage swimcap adds that extra je ne sais quoe. Suit by Marie-Rose Lebigot.

Cat's-eye sunglasses and a parasol add the perfect touch! Yipes stripes in cotton by Jeanne Lanvin - Castillo.

Hats for Spring - 1957

I'm feeling trapped. The snowbanks are higher than my waist, the driveway is getting narrower and narrower, and I am generally sick to death of winter. It's so cold, the inner harbor is frozen over. Someone remind me why I live in Boston?

To combat the winter blues and blahs this week, let's look at some goodies for spring so that we can start to dream of balmier weather. And for those of you living in warmer climates right now, I am officially jealous!

Today, spring hats from 1957. Just looking at hats lifts my mood. How about you?

Rose Valois forms a double bandeaux of rose petals.

Pierre Balmain wide brim straw hat.

Ruban flower petal cap with dramatic face veil.

Albouy uses metallic mesh and tops it with a rose.

Gilbert Orcel blue and white stripe silk.

Weekend Eye Candy - Jacques Fath, 1957

Jacques Fath weaves black silk ribbons into a tight fitting cap. The loops at the back resemble a fun coiffure. Notice too the mix of a double strand of pearls AND a brooch. Love!

Weekend Eye Candy - Mme. Gres, 1957

Blue silk satin evening gown and matching cape by Madame Grès, 1957.