Summer Dresses - 1965

In a radical change from 5 years ago, gone are the full skirted styles that reigned for nearly 15 years. The look is tailored and elegant, with the merest hint of shaping at the waist. Just starting to appear are Mod, Op-art, Pop-art, and Psychedelic styles that will become wildly popular over the next few years. Hemlines are on the rise, and will soon be called mini. Here, dresses for the heat of summer from 1965.

Dior black and white silk print tailored wrap dress.

Guy Laroche silk dress in a pop-art swirl print.

Tailored sheath in apricot voile by R&K. Sold for $20 in 1965 (about $139 in today's dollar).

Jean Patou red linen princess seamed dress.

Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner double layer op-art dress in organza over crepe.

Tony Armstrong white linen sheath with blue and red stripes has a decidedly Mod feel. Sold for $100 in 1965 (about $693 in today's dollar).

Summer Dresses - 1960

While most of the shapes stay the same as the 1950s, hemlines are shorter, and there is less emphasis on a tiny waist. Here, dresses for hot summer days from 1960. The first 4 photos were taken by photographer extraordinaire, Lillian Bassman for Harper's Bazaar at the Hacienda Galindo outside San Miguel de Allende in Mexico.

American Golfer pink dotted swiss cotton top and pleated skirt. Sold for $18 in 1960 (about $134 in today's dollar).

Shirtdress in green silk can be worn belted or loose. By Products of India. Sold for $40 in 1960 (about $297 in today's dollar).

Mollie Parnis coral dress in cotton/nylon blend. Sold for $90 in 1960 (about $668 in today's dollar).

Hannah Troy blue and white gingham check fitted tank top and long full skirt with a matching triangle scarf. Sold for $70 in 1960 (about $520 in today's dollar).

Ben Reig black and white micro-stripe cotton dress with a pleated full skirt and side seam pockets. Sold for $160 in 1960 (about $1188 in today's dollar). Hat by Lilly Daché.

Last photo by Saul Leiter.

Summer Dresses - 1954

How I love the mid 1950s, which is the height of full skirt dressing. Skirts have yards and yards of fabric and a shape that flares straight out from the waist. Hems are a few inches below the knee. Alternatively, slim sheaths that are fitted to the body are also in vogue. Whether full or slim, though, its all about a tiny waist. Here, dresses for the heat of summer from 1954.

Jerry Parnis black and white striped cotton dress.
Sold for $45 in 1954 (about $368 in today's dollar).

B.H. Wragge beige linen with black figural stripes accented with black ribbon. Sold for $50 in 1954 (about $408 in today's dollar).

Givenchy red and white polka dot silk dress. Note how the belt is tied instead of buckled.

Sheath dress made from Simplicity pattern 4633 in red embroidered Moygashel linen.

Gay Gibson green and white gingham check dress.
Sold for $13 in 1954 (about $106 in today's dollar).

Photo 2 by Paul Radkai, 3 by Louise Dahl-Woolfe, 4 by Derujinsky, 5 by Tom Palumbo.

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Evening Gowns and Coats

New this week at Couture Allure are several fabulous vintage evening gowns. We've also started listing our vintage coat collection for 2010! Also listed, but not shown here, are several vintage cocktail dresses.

1980s Victor Costa strapless satin evening gown.

1970s Bohemian Chic chiffon halter evening gown.

1980s Oscar de la Renta silk taffeta ball gown.

1960s Mod faux leopard fur coat.

1960s Bonwit Teller black dressy coat.

1980s faux leopard fur jacket by London designer Ninivah Khomo.

Weekend Eye Candy - June Bride, 1934

Our last bride for June is from 1934. White silk satin gown by Marcel Rochas.

Photo by Studio Lorelle.

Summer Dresses - 1949

Ahh, the days are long and hot. Wartime restrictions are gone and women have begun to embrace the "New Look". Skirts are fuller, although they don't have as much width at the hem as we will see in a few short years. Hemlines have headed south again. Here, dresses for the heat of summer from 1949. All photos were taken by Richard Dormer in Rome.

Mildred Orrick embroidered cotton dress with side pleats in the skirt. Sold for $35 in 1949 (about $323 in today's dollar).

High necked top and full skirt in a marbelized cotton print by Owen Morgan. Sold for $22 in 1949 (about $203 in today's dollar).

Carolyn Schnurer knitted elasticized wool top to wear with or without straps is matched with a cotton striped skirt. Sold for $35 in 1949 (about $323 in today's dollar).

At left: Cotton dress with sunburst pleats at the bust by Barbee Jr. Sold for $23 in 1949 (about $212 in today's dollar).
At right: Kenneth Tischler cotton dress with tucked bands at the square neckline and sleeve cuffs. Sold for $19 in 1949 (about $175 in today's dollar).

Chambray dress with elastic shirring at the neckline by David Crystal. Sold for $25 in 1949 (about $231 in today's dollar).

Summer Dresses - 1940

From the last French collections before the fall of Paris to the Germans. Hemlines are much shorter and will continue to inch up as fabric restrictions force changes in design. Here, dresses for the heat of summer from 1940.

Blue and white rayon print dress by Lucien Lelong.

Marcelle Dormoy dress in white and black organza.

Maggy Rouff printed rayon crepe dress.

Jean Patou rayon dress in two tones of green.

Robert Piguet dress in black faille with a pink and black striped vest.

Photos 1, 3, and 4 by Joflé. Photo 2 by Studio Iris. Photo 5 by Robert Rigassi.

Summer Dresses - 1933

How things have changed in 6 short years! Hemlines have plunged, waists are back at their normal place, and arms have emerged from shorter sleeves. Here, dresses for the heat of summer from 1933.

Jane Duverne black and white silk dress.

Colette Goupy black georgette dress with printed crepe de chine sash and hat covering.

Georgette Renal black and white rayon crepe dress.

Marcel Rochas sleevless printed white satin dress with matching 3/4 coat.

Yvonne D'angel rayon crepe dress in black with green and white print.
The matching coat is green.

All photos by D'Ora, Paris.

Summer Dresses - 1927

Now that summer has officially arrived, how about a look at summer dresses through the decades this week and next? Time to pull out some of my really old magazines for this series! Here, dresses for the heat of summer from 1927. It is interesting to note that daytime dresses had long sleeves. Sleeveless styles were only worn for evening.

Silk chiffon dress by Agnes.

Black crepe de chine dress by Jenny.

Brown and yellow striped crepe de chine dress by Suzanne Talbot.

Lace outer dress floats over a silk slip. Ensemble by Martial et Armand.

Pink georgette dress by Bernard et Cie.

All photos by D'Ora, Paris.

Couture Allure Advertising Policy

About once a week, I get an email offering me money to write a blog post about a new site, or an offer of a free product if I will review it on my "influential fashion blog", or an offer of cash or a gift certificate if I will place a banner ad on my website or blog. I guess it's nice to know that my blog is popular enough to warrant such offers, but my response is to delete the emails.

Lately, another issue has presented itself. Splogs (or spam-blogs) are blogs that exist solely to create revenue from advertising. A seemingly educational or informative post will be surrounded by advertisements that the splog owner is hoping you will click on, as each click earns them money. The problem is that these sploggers copy other's hard work and infringe on the copyright of the original blogger. I recently found a splogger that has copied over 60 of my original posts and has passed off my work as his own.

I started this blog almost 5 years ago as a way to share my love of vintage fashion. I have a huge selection of books and magazines here in my office that I've collected over the past 25 years, and I want to share the wealth of knowledge that they offer. I consider this blog to be strictly educational, and it is my way of giving back to the community of vintage lovers who have supported me, worked alongside me, and who have purchased from me over the past 10 years. It is truly a labor of love. It does not exist to bring me revenue.

It is the policy of the Couture Allure Vintage Fashion Blog to not accept advertising in any way, shape, or form. If you see a link to another website here, it is strictly because I think you will find it interesting, not because I have accepted money from the site owner to do so.

So, all you website owners and PR firms who want me to write about you, your product, or your website, don't bother to email me. All you sploggers, please take note that I will fight you by filing a DMCA complaint if I find that you have copied my work. And readers, if you see a blog post of mine surrounded by advertising, please let me know.

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Dresses

New at Couture Allure this week are several great full skirted dresses from the 1950s.

1950s strapless prom dress perfect for a wedding!

1950s silk full skirt dress with pink roses.

1950s strapless silk organza dress with matching shrug.

1950s Suzy Perette silk floral full skirt dress.

1950s polka dot crepe full skirt dress.

Early 1960s black silk cocktail dress with separate white lace dickey.