Spotted in a Shop Window - Exquisite Formal Gowns

How exquisite is this wine dark dress? It has a very 1940s glamour about it. I will let the details speak for themselves. These gowns were spotted in the window of Luly Yang in downtown Seattle.

This has a more 1950s influence - a flowing garden of roses. Love the strapless bodice with snug midriff.

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Before and After Hit Parade: Groovy 1970s Caftan Goes Tropical!

Seamstress: Jem
Pattern: Simplicity 5900

This fab caftan from 1973 features an empire waist and beautiful, flowing style. It's a "Jiffy" to sew pattern that doesn't sacrifice great style. It's the sort of pattern that shows off fabric to great effect.

The Result: And here is Jem's great result, hand-sewn in a gorgeous tropical print, full of colorful parrots. Looks fabulous, doesn't it? And yes, that is not a typo, Jem did not use a sewing machine, she actually hand-sewed each seam. Amazing!

 

You can view Jem's blog post about this sewing effort here: Seven Minutes in Heaven. Be sure to also visit the Etsy shop that she runs with Nicki,  Seven Minutes in Heaven, where they sell groovy clothing items from the Mod era of the late 1960s and the 1970s. Girls after my own heart. :)

Scraps from the Past - Embroidered Eyelet to Edge a Slip

This is the scrap I found in a pattern envelope for fabulous 50s slips - classic embroidered eyelet.

 

And here is the pattern - a great collection of slips for every occasion. In the 1950s slips were simply required lingerie for wear under every dress and skirt. This particular pattern was cut for the half slip, so you can guess that the embroidered eyelet trimmed the hemline. :)

The New Look - Then and Now

You all know the iconic dresses of the 1950s and early 1960s known as the "New Look" - the dresses with a snug bodice and a full skirt or a slim skirt. Here are some lovely examples:

 

 

 

 

The current revival of the New Look is fun to see. Generally the dresses are shorter. I spotted a great example in this pair of formal dresses in the window of Luly Yang, Seattle.The full skirt has soft box pleats, while the slim skirt has soft gathers. Note how the display includes matching shoes and purse. :). Perfect!

And I spotted this pert dress in the shop window of Anthropologie - it has a softly box-pleated short skirt and contoured drop-waist.

 Totally fun fashion!

Spotted in a Shop Window - Classy Short Jacket

Iridescent peacock colors make this classy short jacket glamorous enough for evening. Spotted in the shop window of Nina McLemore in downtown Seattle. Note the turned-up collar, turn-back wing cuffs at bracelet length, and free opening. Very reminiscent of the 50s. Eye-catching fashion!

Scraps from the Past: 1950s Little Black Dress

Yes, she sewed it in black! She bought this textured, crisp cotton in black:

Not sure if it shows, but the fabric has a texture with tiny diamonds, and has a crisp, slightly shiny quality. And then our mystery seamstress took this beautiful dress pattern from 1958, McCall's 4561, to sew up view B to create a beautiful little black dress!

It's such inspiring style!

Fashion from January 1951: Around-the-Clock Delicious Fashion

All day and evening too - it's round-the-clock fashion from January 1951 and McCall! And these lovely sundresses with jackets have superb style. Gosh, I wish had these gorgeous patterns!

 McCall 8345

The sleeveless topless dress with its own jacket is in for another big season. The dress that can go anywhere at all with propriety as long as one keeps the jacket on. The dress - jacketless - that can be a short evening gown or a bare-top sports dress, depending only on the fabric used. Fitted heart-shape bodice, 4-panel flared skirt, simple bolero. Sizes 12-20. 50 cents.
 

 McCall 8346

This around-the-clock ensemble is an investment, paying dividends in good looks. You can wear it for daytime, for afternoon and, without the jacket, for evening. In the south, it is both a street costume and a play dress. Note the jacket - cape-like. Note the dress - buttoned over at the side, with soft pleats centered at the back. Sizes 12-20. $1.00.

"Five O'Clockers" - Fine Cocktail Dresses from 1951

These evening dresses have designer quality - a redingote dress with slip dress and the perfect dress for important engagements. Check out these wonderful cocktail or "after 5" dresses from 1951 and McCall. I include the original sizes available and the original price of the pattern.

McCall 8344

The garment under the redingote dress is called a "slip" but that is a misnomer. If you make it of an important fabric - metal cloth or a beautiful print on good heavy crepe - it can be used alone as a short dinner dress. The redingote fastens only at the waistline. Its neckline is waist deep, shawl collared.  Sizes 12-20, 40-46 $1.00

McCall 8350

Very Big Date! Charming neckline, swooping down in a graceful heartline. Long wasted and bustle-y at the back, and a pannier peplum hat is just the thing for snake hips. A slim-as-a-pin dress viewed from the front, but in back it has that pretty walk-away flare. Crushed short sleeves and other sleeve types. Sizes 12-20. 85 cents.