Mainbocher Evening Gown - 1963

This Mainbocher couture evening gown is from the spring of 1963.  White silk crepe is printed with a black geometric pattern.  I adore the mix of a casual print with a formal dress. The gown has a high neckline and short train in the back.  Made to order only in Mainbocher's couture salon in New York.

Mainbocher Dress - 1954

Couture genius Mainbocher designed this double skirted evening dress in 1954.  Fashioned of cotton in a pastel floral print, the halter neckline is perfect for a hot summer night.  Made-to-order couture in Mainbocher's New York salon.

Party Clothes - 1958

I always enjoy looking a pictures of vintage party clothes.  I know it's still summer, but the holiday party season will be here before we know it.  Have you started to think about what you'll wear this year?  These designer garments are all from Fall/Winter 1958.  The photos are by Richard Avedon.

Mainbocher white satin dinner dress with cut-away armholes.  To wear with it, a pink floral silk ottoman coat lined in quilted white satin.

Deep yellow satin dress with a huge bell shaped skirt by Balenciaga.

Also by Balenciaga, a fuchsia satin ball gown with a lace bodice.  I'd love to see this gown full length to see the shape of the skirt, wouldn't you?

Pink silk moire fashions a strapless bubble dress by Givenchy.  Love the way the bodice is knotted!

Givenchy uses pink again, this time a deep magenta satin, for this dinner coat.  Note the stand-away collar which would become hugely popular in the early 60s.

I love all these garments, but I must confess that the dark stockings with light shoes looks a bit jarring.  It wouldn't be my choice!

Weekend Eye Candy - Mainbocher Evening Gown

Mainbocher's 1950's strapless evening gown is fashioned in an unusual cotton fabric woven with Lurex threads in a plaid pattern.

Mainbocher and the WWII Navy WAVES Uniform

It's Memorial Day here in the US, a day when we remember our women and men who have died in military service.

Did you know that the uniforms for the Navy WAVES were designed by Mainbocher? The first uniforms for the armed services designed by a well-known designer, they received much media coverage. The dress blue and white uniforms consisted of a tailored jacket and a six-gore skirt.

Mainbocher's design was distinctive with it's use of a rounded collar layered over a pointed lapel.

The side-brimmed hat came with interchangeable white or navy covers.

A navy overcoat was also part of the uniform.

Mainbocher also designed the WAVES summer working uniform of a grey seersucker dress with matching jacket, which had the same distinctive collar design.

Ads featuring women in uniform were prominent during the war years. This ad for Celenese Fabrics features a Navy nurse in a uniform made from one of their new synthetic fabrics which was designed for war use, but could be purchased for home sewing.

This ad for Mary Sachs, a store in Harrisburg, PA, offers "Service for Women who Serve". The store offered custom fitting and tailoring of uniforms and also sold WAVES, WACS, and Army Nurse uniforms by mail order.

Vintage Easter Fashion 1937

"Only 10 shopping days until Easter!" heralds the headline in a 1937 copy of The New York Woman. "I haven't a thing to wear! Everything must be new!" With that, our Manhattan socialite sets forth on a mad day of shopping and pulls together her Easter outfit for a total of $89.45 ($1356.00 in today's dollar!!).

First a satin and Lastex girdle by Treo to give her figure the smooth, streamlined effect that will show off her suit to its best advantage. Next, a Maidenform satin brassiere for uplift and separation with new rounded curves (Last year's pointed silhouette is out!) A new pair of silk stockings are clipped to the girdle.

Satin tap panties and a satin slip by Dasche are worn over the girdle, brassiere, and stockings. Black gabardine shoes with patent trim are slipped on.

The perfect suit - a Mainbocher copy in navy Forstmann wool. Its collarless peplum style is offset by pockets at bust and hips. It is worn with a paisley printed ascot and a thin patent belt.

A tilted straw Homburg hat sets off the ensemble nicely.

Add white doeskin gloves and milady is all set for the Easter Parade!

What are you wearing for Easter this year?