It was the 1950s, World War II was over and so was rationing. Larger quantities of fabrics were available and designers were taking advantage of this with the designs of dresses featuring intricate gatherings, pleats, and full skirts with excesses of fabric to create a very attractive silhouette. Christian Dior’s New Look, showcased for the first time in Paris in February of 1947, was firmly in place as the height of fashion well into the 1950s and 1960s. This look, it was said, created a figure like the number “8”, emphasizing a well rounded bust, slim, tight waist, and full hips. One can see examples of this style worn by most women of the 1950s, especially celebrities such as Shelley Fabares who played Mary, Donna’s TV daughter on the Donna Reed Show.
As well as Donna Reeds actual daughter, Mary Anne Owen in the photo below
The style of dress was popular in everything from simple, cotton, house dresses, tea dresses, and cocktail dresses.
I, personally, love this style of dress. It is flattering to most body shapes, especially a well rounded plus size body, like mine. Finding actual vintage dresses is very challenging, as I have said in many of my blog posts. To get this look, I have found that keeping an open mind…and open eyes…will help me achieve my goal of dressing like a proper 1950s / 1960s woman!
I hit the jackpot on Amazon with the Grace Karin line of dresses! These dresses come in sizes XS all the way to 24 Plus. They come in all kinds of pretty patterns and colors. If you do not see what you want, in your size, be sure to keep a lookout because they do seem to restock regularly. Please join me on YouTube where I have a video showcasing these lovely dresses and my collection. I have styled a few to help with that kind of thing, too!
This style’s keywords would incluse “fit and flair”, “full circle”, “1950s Tea Dress” and “1950s cocktail dress” to name a few.
Ramblings from a Housewife 