Scraps from the Past: A Party-Pretty Dress in a Floral Print

The pattern: McCall's 5852 is a sunny, pretty dress from 1961 that is proportioned for your height.

The scrap: Tucked inside the envelope was this narrow strip of floral print cotton. I love how the colors are still bright. Can you visualize the dress in this fabric?

1946 Originator Sketch: Artful Gathers Create Beautiful Frocks

While I am tempted to call it smocking, I suspect these frocks illustrate the use of shirring to artfully gather fabric, for a front peplum in one case and a side cascading drape in the other. Regardless, such clever, creative ideas result in beautiful frocks. Delicious!

1950s - Balenciaga's Enchanting Sheath, Tunic, and Inspired Bolero

Now here is an ensemble I would love to wear! A pop of red on a white hat that makes you think of Christmas, a slim sheath topped with a knee-length tunic with big buttons, and an itty-bitty bolero with a floating back panel. Wow!

 

Here is a photograph of the dress & tunic in black brocade, without the bolero. The big buttons are there (we just can't see them). Enchanting!

1940s Originator Sketch - Cocktail Dresses

Ooooo la la! These stunning cocktail dresses feature cascading drapes topped with bows. Did you notice that both dresses dip lower in the back? Fabulous eye candy!

Look at the details carefully - intriguing!

Winter 1966-67 - Dazzling Evening Dresses

Check out these gorgeous, hot dresses for cocktails, parties, and evenings out from 1966. They are perfect for the holidays! I think it is scrumptious style, but then, I am partial to the era. :) These dresses are from a Butterick home catalog, and the pattern number for each dress is listed at the model's feet.

Accessorize Your '60s Cocktail Dress!

It's the hunt for accessories! This wonderful Patt-O-Rama mail order pattern from 1966 that I posted yesterday in my shop features a chic two-piece dress with a focus on the accessories.

The pattern included this additional sheet that describes how to accessorize this dress in three different ways! I thought it would be fun to see if I could find vintage fabric and accessories in Etsy shops to match the suggestions. Check them out below. :) Did I do a fair job? Do all the elements work together? Feel free to suggest alternate choices!

I will say, that just the exercise of selecting the pieces for each version made it easier to imagine myself in each version of this two-piece dress. A very fun and useful result!

LEFT: Fabric & Accessories for Dress Sewn in Brocade

Beige brocade fabric

Shop: Fabric Depot

White kid gloves

 Shop: Cristi Natural

White clutch purse (brocade)

Store: From The Vanity

Pearl drop earrings

Shop: Vintage Brink

 Pearl bracelet

Shop: Truly Vintage UK

BOTTOM: Fabric & Accessories for Dress Sewn in Linen

Lemon-colored linen

Shop: My Fabric Studio

Black straw sailor hat

Shop: Vintage Vixen

Black patent sling back shoes

Shop: Frocks N FrillsVintage

Pale yellow gloves

Shop: Jens Closet

Black double-strapped handbag

Shop: The Swanky Fox

RIGHT: Fabric & Accessories for Dress Sewn in Brown Herringbone Wool

Brown herringbone wool fabric

Shop: Fabric Consortium

Dickey

Shop:  bobby's Boutique

 Watch on a chain

Shop:  Yesterday Time

Gold bangle bracelets

Shop: Joann Brocanto Vintage

 

Flat gold earrings

Shop: Beautiful Passions

 Brown leather pumps with stacked heel

Shop:  Kat's Cache

Brown leather pocket book

Shop: Pinky LaRoux

Mid-50s Cocktail Dress - Elegance in Green

Beautiful in green silk poult-de-soie, this ultra-feminine cocktail dress has a bodice that hugs the figure, a drop waistline with basque points, and a skirt that flares from the smooth, flat hipline.

 

Mmmmm. Mid-1950s marvelous.

Spotted in a Shop Window - Retro Flapper Style

This eye-catching cocktail dress is very evocative of the Flapper era, especially with the decorative fringes. I love the pleated and ruffled "fans" on the bodice and hips. Yum!

Spotted in the window of Luly Yang, downtown Seattle.

Spotted in a Shop Window: Deliciously Draped Dresses from Luly Yang

Look at these gorgeously draped dresses, seen in the shop window of Luly Yang in downtown Seattle. Such beautiful cascading drapes, artful gathers, and elegant design details!

I wish I could afford to shop in this store. Sigh.