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.

kkkk

Old Things are New - 1920s Negligee and1970s Caftan

When I was listing an elegant caftan pattern in my Etsy shop the other night (Simplicity 7211), I noticed that its construction is actually very similar to a negligee from the 1920s that I posted about a few days ago. Both are a length of fabric, folded, then a neckline cut along the fold. Then side seams are sewn along "body lines" (if I may put it that way ;), leaving the edges to drape gracefully.

Note how the side seams are sewn for this 1920s negligee (which, I mean really, it's a frock, is it not?). The body silhouette was pretty straight in the 1920s, and the result is flapper fabulous. :)

 

Now look at this lovely caftan from the 1970s and Simplicity, and look at the pattern back:

 

Look familiar? As in the 1920s pattern, the fabric is folded, the neckline cut on the fold, and seams sewn to follow the body silhouette. But since it is the 1970s, the body silhouette has curves, specifically curves that form a lovely contoured A-line. :) Gorgeous.

Hmmm. And I just noticed - both models are posing with a hand to the side of the head, and jewelry, including a bracelet.... :)

Patti Page in a 1950s Dreamy Strapless Gown

The wonderful singer Patti Page is early in her singing career in this 1951 image, where she is wearing a stunning strapless gown. That snug bodice is trimmed with a dramatic ruffle at the bust. Wow!

Factoid: Page's signature song, "Tennessee Waltz", recorded in 1950, was one of the biggest-selling singles of the 20th century.