You will notice in this compilation image I created that the ladies flanked by the high fashion models, though not professionally photographed or dressed, look lovely just the same. I think I want this page to not only celebrate the genius of such people as Dior (whom I loved) but also to point out and to re-foster, the importance of fashion for the masses. We all have it in us, have the power to, wear and dress in a lovely way. Jeans may be comfortable, but do you need to wear them EVERY day? Clothes may be cheap at big chain stores, but having the choice of your own fabric and a simple patter for a pencil skirt or a full dress can add skill to your repertoire, clothes to your closet and a smile to your and other's face.

I really do think that fashion should be an important part of our revolution. You may start simply with those white gloves that were your mothers/grandmothers you have stuck away some where when you go grocery shopping. Or perhaps, that darling hat for 3 dollars at the local swap shop would look prettier on your head than merely decorating your wall. Be brave! Take a stance! Fashion for women by women for the purpose of feeling and expressing pride. And think what an example to set to daughters, "it matters little if we are going to the grocery store or to the mall, look good. Put on your hat and gloves. Wear your prettiest frock. Have EVERYDAY pretty frocks. You deserve it as does the world. Think of the beauty you are spreading as an artist of cloth. The sea of jean, hoodies and incessant 'relaxed' fashion punctuated by jabs of color from your full skirt, a wisp of your petticoat, the jaunty bounce of your veiled hat above the sea of sweatshirted hoods! You are an artist!

On this page we present a pictorial guide for your own enjoyment and reference. We have three main sections which include: HIGH FASHION, PATTERNS, and WHAT THE AVERAGE WOMAN WORE. These three categories will allow us to see what was happening in magazines such as Vogue in Paris etc, the ideal and latest fashions, if you will, on models. Then we will have images of actual vintage patterns with their pattern number so you can look these up online. Many of these patterns are still circulating and I hope to have actual links to great places to find these vintage patterns. But, if you type in the make and pattern number you will most likely be able to locate a source for them. And finally the final and third section will be photographs of REAL women in daily life showing their interpretation of the high fashion and often made with the patterns. In time these sections will grow to include HAIR, SHOES, BRIDAL, TEEN, CHILDREN, UNDERGARMETNS etc as each will have a representation in each of the three categories.

So, sit back and get your pen and paper ready and begin taking notes to form your own vintage wardrobe.

MANSION HOUSE FASHION SHOW aka THE LORD MAYOR LOOKS AT WOOL

The ideals, dreams and inspiration for all ladies, the high fashion model and her lovely wardrobe. Many wonderful tips and ideas that we can incorporate into our own looks rather buying new, vintage, or sewing.

For me, and really the whole of 1950's fashion, began in 1947 when Dior introduced the "NEW LOOK". Women, then so dictated by fashion actually picketed to have the skirt heights raised. Today, we would simply where what we wanted. But on some level, that dictate of fashion has a sort of freedom within in it. We are given a silhouette and from that can create the world.

Here it is in color. This 'New Look' was a return to femininity. After the rations and shortages (including fabric) of WWII women returned home and with that return was the return of a rather Victorian or almost fairytale sillohuette.Here are more Dior from that time. The hats were still a larger size as became popular in the 1940s. These were to shrink to almost headband size as the Decade progressed. The full skirt remains popular into the early 1960s, though it steadily raised to a few inches below the knee by mid decade and then to the knee in the early sixties. I think this shape, in the shorter length, can even be worn by shorter women with great affect.

The new longer skirt, as here in Paris in 1950, was often worn without the petticoat in the beginning of the decade. This was made popular as well by that famous 1953 movie that introduced Audrey Hepburn to all of us.Women copied the style and many women rushed out and had their longer 1940's locks sheared off into this new Pixie cut. (Hairstyles will become part of this page in time).This is a simple and comfortable style to make and wear. Full skirt, belt and blouse can carry you though many occasions.

So the early part of the decade had the longer skirt, less full and larger hats and a thicker more 40's heel. Even young girls, as seen here with mother, have a more paired down version of what was to become the pouf and fullness of the later decade.But, a very wearable modern dress, I fell. Not overdone, simple with gloves hat and shoes.

Now, here is the dichotomy of the decade. The full skirt and the pencil skirt. Most often suits were pencil skirts, though jackets and boleros accompanies full skirts as well. The chic' look was often the well fitted pencil dress or 'wiggle dress' as it now often appears to be called. If one once to dress and begin a Vintage wardrobe, you should look at these two skirt variances not as oppositions, but as two sides of the same coin. A well dressed woman would do well to have both a fitted pencil skirt as well as fuller skirt (this can be gored, pleated, circle, or gathered) and then gains a third element with the introduction of a petticoat. A simple wardrobe of a few good pieces mixed with vintage jewelry, bags, scarves, hats, gloves and boats can serve the lady to look as if her closet is full to the brim, while artful mixing and matching are the real secret to her success.

Here are some varying degrees of fashion from 1950-1959, enjoy. They will be shown in chronological order.

1951

1953

1954 Yes, even slacks, trousers, pants, whatever you called them, were around as evidenced by this '54 Levi's ad

1955 (now by 1955 Vogue in Paris is already showing a look that will not really become mainstream in America until later in the decade. This suit has a very 1959/60 feel to it. Though the skirt hems were rising, I often made my dressed for 55 mid calf, as I felt I would have read and aspired to Vogue, but would have also wanted to 'mix' with those around me. This year, however, my dressed in 56 will result in a hem about 1-2" below the knee, thus giving a shorter look with petticoat but longer without. I can also, easily, hem up by 55 dresses!Sometimes the illustrative work in fashion magazines at the time were as wonderful as the actual dresses they were inspired by

1956

1957

1958 Though the basic full shape was still around as the decade began to close, it became more crisp. And in Vogue the dropped waist and longer top which would become des rigueur by early 1960s was making it's appearance.

1959Here you see the similar shapes simply getting shorter and hats larger, but the high fashion world was looking ahead as you see here.Though you would hardly see this on the streets in 1959, you can see the beginning of the turn to the 1960s. The shorter skirt will eventually become more A-line. And when it is full it will be a pleated at the waist band while fitting more snug at the bottom. (I will continue to add more images to these sections and will, as said, add to each with swimsuits, undergarments, children etc let me know what you think so far.)

I will list here, chronologically, patterns available at the time that you might still find online. In time we may have links to sites that sell these but for now I will try to only show images that clearly reveal the Pattern Number so you might type that into Google to find one available somewhere! I will also include Vintage Repro patterns when relevant.

1950 You can see these two patterns from 1950 still have a somewhat 1940's feel but a longer skirt becoming fuller. The Butterick even has the hint of shoulder pads remaining.

1951

1952

1954this is a repro available today at most fabric stores

1955

1959

Here are Photos of the Everyday Woman. Perhaps you might find photos of your own family, and if so I hope you know it is done out of respect, for some of the photos I have found online. I think it important to see the 'Everyday Woman' as caught by candid or even posed 'home' photographs. This mixture of high fashion/patterns/and photography can help a Vintage Gal to have a great measure and mental arsenal when choosing/making her wardrobe.

This shot from Devon England in mid 1950's show the young people involved in a race where the ladies and gents switched shoes, so you can see the ladies in the clunky men shoes.Here this lovely lady shows one can 'fry it up in a pan' and still be glamorous.if young ladies were playing rough outside in cold weather they wore what was necessarybut when we went 'out' we dressed appropriately

This photo is of a 1950 bridge club Daughters wanted to be 'just like mother' and not the other way round.These ladies are being lovely hostesses and looking lovely do it. There is just something so crisp and calm about ladies well groomed in simple ironed clothing. It makes one feel rather calm. I often, after readying myself for the day, will do the final check and when I see myself, hair in place, Clothes in place (no slip showing!)I feel a sort of calm and an almost joy. It's as if we look longingly at old photos and think 'what if' and then when it IS you, you feel accomplishment and a sense of calm as it is a reality. I cannot explain it. And it matters little if you are model thin, for I need to lose at least 50lbs, but I still love the way I look in my vintage clothes (now normal clothes for me). I hope all of you can try it on some level.

This page will grow and if you have or would like to share any photos for this page let me know. And, as stated, it will grow to include separate categories within the three main sections on such topics as Hats, shoes, weddings, baby, children, menswear, undergarments, summer/beachwear etc. So let me know if you like it and would like to add to it email me or check out the FORUM under Fashion.

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