I meet and talk to lots of different women every day and without a doubt, the most sought after vintage look I am asked for is the 1950s swing dress. There is something about that cinched waist and full skirt that sets many a heart a-flutter, including mine!
I remember films like Grease, West Side Story and The Sound of Music fuelling my love of pretty dresses when I was a child; the image of Liesl von Trapp dancing with her sweetheart in that fluffy full skirted frock still makes me beam from ear to ear!
In stark contrast to the make do and mend of the war, Christian Dior created the “New Look” fashion in the late 1940s. This was a very conscious use of extra fabric, sometimes using up to 25 yards of fabric for one dress!
This fairytale fantasy was a breath of fresh air for women, with bust enhancing bodices, tiny tapered waists and huge ballerina skirts. There was also a wash of whites, creams and pastel shades as more synthetic fabrics were made.
I stock a lot of reproduction 1950s dresses, complete with big fluffy petticoats, but of course I also have some beautiful original 1950s vintage dresses that offer a slice of authentic fashion history.
This bold print 1950s dress shows the typical and popular high neck, short sleeved, cinched waist shape with a full swing skirt. Made from a thick cotton fabric it’s a great daytime dress that's light and easy to wear. This was probably hand made in the 1950s and the fabric would have been quite expensive in that bold checked pattern. We have lots of these type of dresses but this is definitely one of my favourites.
Made by Carnegie of London, this is another beautiful 1950s original. A more formal dress, the embroidered yoke and oyster pink grosgrain fabric are very elegant. The little belt cinches the waist and of course there is a full skirt that could be worn with a fluffy petticoat underneath. Today this would be the perfect dress for a wedding or special occasion and it's easy to see where many of the designer and high street labels get their inspiration.
Emma Brown is the owner of My Vintage, The Circus, Darwen.
Telephone 01254 774701 Website: www.myvintage.co.uk
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