Vintage Party Dresses - 1966

The year? 1966. The look? Sparkle, shimmer and shine with sequins, beads, metallic fabrics or a combination of any or all. Or jazz it up with fur and feathers. The occasion? Party time!

John Bates dress in white devore silk velvet over pink taffeta lining with a white rabbit fur hem.

Anne Fogarty dress  with a flirty, flared hem and covered in silver paillette sequins.

Geoffrey Beene dress in white devore velvet trimmed in white ostrich feathers at cuff and hem.

Malcolm Starr dress in black lace covered in silver cording, beads and paillettes.

To wear over any or all of the dresses shown here, a pink and red metallic brocade evening coat trimmed in touches of mink.  This coat by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman was custom made to order only. 

Holiday Party Dresses - 1954

As the holiday party season approaches, have you given thought to what you'll wear to all those special events?  Please tell me you're not considering jeans when you can dress up your surroundings in vintage!  Today's looks are from 1954.

Bergdorf Goodman dress in silk lamé.  The lamé was offered in silvery pink or blue, but you could also have the dress made in silk satin in gold, blue or pink.  No black!  Sold for $135 in 1954 (about $1,136 in today's dollar.)

Filcol strapless crystal pleated silk organdy dress worn with a white velveteen coat embroidered in blue and silver.  Set sold for $200 in 1954 (about $1,683 in today's dollar.)

Harvey Berin pale pink satin strapless ballgown.  Sold for $180 in 1954 (about $1,515 in today's dollar.)

Adele Simpson dress in brown lace layered over cafe-au-lait lining.  Satin bands encircle the neckline and tie at the shoulders.  Sold for $265 in 1954 (about $2,231 in today's dollar.)

Hannah Troy black Chantilly lace dress with bands of satin and tiers of netting.  Sold for $175 in 1954 (about $1,473 in today's dollar.)

What are you wearing to your holiday parties this year?

Velvet - Yeah or Nay?

Once again, fashion trend forecasters are telling us that velvet will be popular this winter.  I think they've been saying this every year for the last 5 in a row.  I'm not sure I believe it.  I've stopped buying vintage dresses in velvet because they just don't sell.  I think most women find velvet a difficult fabric to wear and they shy away from it.  What do you think?  Will you be buying velvet this fall?  Check out the roundup of velvet looks from the Fall 2011 runways at Tom and Lorenzo.

Shown above, A black rayon strapless dress by Rappi is accented with pleated white organdy at the front.  Sold for $60 in 1954 (about $504 in today's dollar.)

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!

Party Dresses - 1959

Are you going to a holiday party this weekend? Do you have your dress picked out yet? Today, looks from 1959.

Luis Estevez emerald green silk strapless ball gown with bow at waist. Sold for $225 in 1959 (about $1,691 in today's dollar.) Love the brooch worn at the waist.

Henry Rosenfeld white brocade dress with a full skirt and bow at front. Sold for $18 in 1959 (about $125 in today's dollar.)

Emma Domb bisque taffeta strapless gown with beading at the bodice and a matching stole. Sold for $85 in 1959 (about $639 in today's dollar.) Check out those angled folds at the top of the skirt!

Rappi white silk strapless sheath with an aquamarine floating panel at the back. The bodice is embroidered. Sold for $125 in 1959 (about $940 in today's dollar.)

Kay Selig emerald satin strapless bubble dress. Sold for $50 in 1959 (about $376 in today's dollar.)

Anne Fogarty white satin sheath with matching coat lined in Rex rabbit fur. Rex rabbit is lush and soft and mimics chinchilla. There's another brooch worn at the waist. Sold for $350 in 1959 (about $2,631 in today's dollar.)

Party Dresses -1954

Today, just some fabulously wonderful, over-the-top party dresses from 1954. Which one is your favorite?

Mollie Parnis silk taffeta fitted dress with flying panels at hips.
Sold in 1954 for $125 (about $1021 in today's dollar).

Rappi long torso dress in tulle decorated with rows of ruffled taffeta ribbons.
Sold in 1954 for $70 (about $572 in today's dollar).

Sophie of Saks silk satin strapless dress.
Sold in 1954 for $495 (about $4043 in today's dollar).

Adele Simpson lace dress.

Pat Premo dress with scallops and buttons.

Holiday Dresses - 1957

It's December and the holidays party season has arrived. What will you be wearing this year? Here are some pretty party dresses from a 1957 issue of Seventeen magazine.

White sheer nylon strapless dress accented with gold sequins at the bust. Maker unknown as the ad is for Dupont nylon. Isn't it pretty, though?

Left: Carole King dress has a black silk organza bodice with a flared silk and lurex skirt that was available in silver, blue, pink, or aqua with black stripes. Sold for $25.00 in 1957 (about $190.00 in today's dollar).
Right: Carole King dress with a black crepe bodice and cotton/silk print skirt in white, pink, or blue with black and gold. Sold for $25.00 in 1957 (about $190.00 in today's dollar).

Two strapless beauties by Dansant Originals. Both were available in white, pink, blue, aqua and red, and both sold for $50.00 in 1957 (about $379.00 in today's dollar).
Left: Taffeta drop waist strapless dress with rhinestone sprinkled lace at bust and hip.
Right: Layer upon layer of sheer nylon ruffles accented with iridescent braid.

Left: Shirley Lee sheer nylon chiffon layered over matching taffeta in coral rose, beige, black, or blue. Sold for $15.00 in 1957 (about $114.00 in today's dollar).
Right: Shirley Lee cotton/acetate brocade in yellow, antique white, pink or blue. Sold for $13.00 in 1957 (about $99.00 in today's dollar).

Party Dresses - 1967

Let's party like it's 1967! Required - one sparkly dress, glitter stockings, metallic shoes, and big hair.

Geoffrey Beene dress with sequins and mirrors.

Malcolm Starr royal blue dress with cuffs and hem in paillettes, wooden beads and crystals. Sold for $265 in 1967 (about $1692 in today's dollar).

Saks Fifth Avenue private label burnout velvet. Sold for $145 in 1967 (about $926 in today's dollar).

Leslie Fay chiffon dress with back drape. Sold for $36 in 1967 (about $230 in today's dollar).

All from Stix Baer & Fuller, St. Louis' high end department store. Two sparkly mini dresses sold for $40 each in 1967 (about $255 in today's dollar) and the metallic stripe dress with matching coat sold for $225 in 1967 (about $1436 in today's dollar).

It's not too late to get your own 1960's party dress for this holiday season! We've got loads of them at Couture Allure! Go take a look! Big hair not included.

Party Fashion à la 1959

Reader Monique wrote with this question:

"In April of next year I will be celebrating my 50th birthday. I am
planning to do a fabulous 50's theme...I do NOT want it to turn into a
costume party. I really want to inspire my guests (as well as myself) to
dress in the most stylish 50's fashion. Can you please share with me me any suggestions for styles in the late 50's??"

I sure can, Monique! First of all, Happy Birthday! I pulled out a few issues of Glamour magazine from 1959 and found some great party styles for you. But first, lets talk about what NOT to wear. No poodle skirts or saddle shoes! That style, which has become a costume cliche, would have been worn earlier in the 50's and by teenagers to the high school sock hop.

What TO wear? A glamourous full skirted dress in an evening fabric will do. Here are pictures of several styles in brocade, chiffon, satin, and taffeta. Colors are clear and bright, black, white, or metallic brocades.

A skirt with a bit less flair, or a fitted sheath also works. A fitted dress should be jazzed up with lots of jewelry.

Beaded sweaters or cropped jackets, sometimes with fur trim, can be worn over the dress if it is a cool evening. Swing coats and fur stoles are also appropriate.

Lots of sparkly rhinestone jewelry shows up, in necklaces, brooches, and earrings.

Shoes should be spike heels with pointed toes.

Gloves can be worn, if desired. They can be short or long, but are usually white.

In makeup, you'll find a strong defined brow line, black eyeliner and heavy mascara, and a strong lip color. Hair is either pulled back tight to the head with a chignon, or teased high with a flip at the ends.

I hope that helps, Monique, and have a fun party!

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Party Dresses

Just listed at Couture Allure - some great vintage party dresses! Click on the pictures for details!