Greta Plattry Swimsuit - 1955

Love, love, love!  This little feature from Harper's Bazaar not only shows us the swimsuit, but gives a flat image of the terrific fabric it's made of.  The fabric is an Everglaze cotton by Tarnmoor and features various ships in yellow on white.  Greta Plattry used the fabric to make the adorable two piece swimsuit in 1955.  She paired it with a yellow corduroy beach jacket.  Suit sold for $12 and jacket for $17 in 1955 (about $106 and $150 in today's dollar.)

Photo by Robert Randall for Harper's Bazaar, 1955.

Greta Plattry, 1956

 I've done a few posts about Greta Plattry in the past.  You can see some of her work from 1955 here and from 1954 here.  Her sportswear always looks so comfortable and fun while remaining on the cutting edge.  The garments shown today are from 1956.  I am in love.  Don't miss the gold metallic mules worn throughout.

Above:  Madras plaid cotton embroidered with gold and silver threads.  The sundress features a bra top and wide waistband.  Sold for $40 in 1956 (about $325 in today's dollar.)  A bare back halter top is paired with Punjab pants inspired by those of India.  Set Sold for $43 in 1956 (about $350 in today's dollar.)

The pieces above are made from a black and white mini-check cotton printed with gold stripe bands.  The camisole top sundress has a very full skirt.  Sold for $25 in 1956 (about $203 in today's dollar.)  The swimsuit is worn with a matching beach shirt.  Set Sold for $28 in 1956 (about $228 in today's dollar.)

Greta Plattry, 1955

Greta Plattry was an American designer of sportswear in the 1940s and 50s. Her work was on par with that of Claire McCardell, Tina Leser, and Joset Walker. Her clothes were versatile, comfortable, and extremely wearable. The following photos were taken by Richard Avedon in 1955 for a 4 page advertisement for Greta Plattry co-ordinates. Finding any of these today would surely make me smile!

Left: One-shoulder sundress in a cotton border print. Sold for $25 in 1955 (about $204 in today's dollar.)
Right: One-shoulder swimsuit with drawstrings at the side legs. Matching beach shirt to wear over it. Set sold for $30 in 1955 (about $245 in today's dollar.)

Left: Boat print swimsuit. Sold for $15 in 1955 (about $123 in today's dollar.)
Right: Boat print cotton sundress with rope belt. Sold for $25 in 1955 (about $204 in today's dollar.)

Left: Fish print cotton dress with tiny bows. Sold for $20 in 1955 (about $163 in today's dollar.)
Right: The same fish print cotton is used for a two-piece swimsuit and sailor collared beach shirt. Set sold for $22 in 1955 (about $180 in today's dollar.)

Left: White eyelet full skirt worn with a black cotton one-shoulder top. Set sold for $33 in 1955 (about $270 in today's dollar.)
Right: Swimsuit in white eyelet lined in pink broadcloth worn with a coordinating beach shirt. Set sold for $43 in 1955 (about $351 in today's dollar.)

Fashion Inspired by the Movies - Brigadoon

In September of 1954, the movie Brigadoon was released. Based on the Broadway play of the same name, the film starred Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, the magical dancing duo that had starred in Singin' in the Rain two years previous. Irene Sharaff designed the costumes for Brigadoon and her worked earned her an Oscar nomination.

Fashion trends inspired by movies were nothing new at the time. Dorothy Lamour's sarong in Jungle Princess from 1936 inspired a fashion classic. And in 1951, Elizabeth Taylor's white strapless dress from A Place in the Sun inspired the most popular style for proms that year.

A several page ad in August of 1954 featured "Brigadoon Fantasy Fashions" by Greta Plattry. Plattry was one of America's best known sportswear designers in the 1940s and 50s, and she was a perfect choice to design fashion based on the ethnic clothing of Scotland. Following are the rest of the ad pages with pictures by Richard Avedon.

Tweed wool jersey blouse and full skirt with embroidery at the neckline. Set sold for $36 in 1954 (about $294 in today's dollar).

Top: Pleated white cotton blouse with short wool kilt worn with matching wool shorts underneath. Ensemble sold for $56 in 1954 (about $457 in today's dollar).
Bottom: Plaid wool full skirted jumper with white cotton blouse. Ensemble sold for $52 in 1954 (about $425 in today's dollar).

Left: Red wool flannel jumper worn over white wool sweater. Ensemble sold for $48 in 1954 (about $392 in today's dollar).
Right: Red flannel jumper with the same white sweater and tasseled knee socks. Ensemble sold for $36 in 1954 (about $294 in today's dollar).

Velveteen jumper worn over a printed wool/cotton challis blouse. Ensemble sold for $60 in 1954 (about $490 in today's dollar).

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Dresses

New this week at Couture Allure are some lovely vintage party dresses and vintage dresses by important American designers. Here is a small sampling:

This 1950's party dress is new, old stock with the tags still attached. It features shadow printed pink poppies on chiffon and taffeta.

Who doesn't enjoy being a girl from time to time? This 1950's party dress by Karen Stark for Harvey Berin is fashioned of pale pink organza with flocking, embroidery, and lace.

We love these vintage dress and coat sets, and they never last long. This 1960's set is fashioned of aqua and gold brocade and is perfect for an evening on the town.

Another 1960's dress and coat set, this time in silk organza by Malcolm Starr. This is girly pink pop art!

We listed dresses by three important American sportswear designers this week. Claire McCardell, Tina Leser, and Greta Plattry were all well known for their fabulous talent. The Claire McCardell dress sold in less than 24 hours and is on it's way to a museum, but you still have a chance to grab the other two!

This early 1950's dress is by Tina Leser. She employed an asymmetric drape on the skirt to emulate a sarong. This dress is in near mint condition and appears to have never been worn.

How about a sweet silk dress with a hood for your next vacation? This 1950's dress is by Greta Plattry and has a wonderful full skirt.

We also listed a 1960's Victoria Royal beaded gown, a 1950's Ben Zuckerman suit, and a 1960's Robert Courtney silk dress, among others. Check the What's New tab at our website to see it all!