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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyzZ1kwQ1vOOlrlh8t2OMXuq5AsSRqpUOcQOhoVoCGQ0ip7Rlko-gIsdUaxei0-bxnQvGuPhxBqItx_ynS-eO1TpPsfk1BZoKn2JQVRma3WVE5595BNY7lMx6EJEuuN2bFwv-0w/s400/551.jpg)
Jerry Parnis black and white striped cotton dress.
Sold for $45 in 1954 (about $368 in today's dollar).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cYMycM6mqhepcIEC_C-mdtKMY6imn7Xp6pdn_aStKXHoAqEmS9YlNMRw8sUa9bLySj8KSbDwzltEuwmL7lPGarEwON-S5VQRbj9UAjK11Aakuiy5dQcyKURrCQMXoLl7Vja7sQ/s400/552.jpg)
B.H. Wragge beige linen with black figural stripes accented with black ribbon. Sold for $50 in 1954 (about $408 in today's dollar).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EJCnpSQ5_0GL8KwN3gRl5oE6952Tl-M89vQtYhK3Khn71942GkK4ZJmcW6EBBYRfnpjVU8XG60UZvBu1LqPjqkyTsNpSsMv7P2PYT3VNi-LnhnOfwu5BY226Ve-e3F1TGaQqAQ/s400/553.jpg)
Givenchy red and white polka dot silk dress. Note how the belt is tied instead of buckled.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIH-YMIRv4gchzVgNnsJtu2Sx5_D6aObYNiUaaPUB5cIu2keffK-v3mWaTboUne_YQRiRpRkWGTG-piR7HXgHCM_2WixvSvbmTqZx3JLtUABC-tXdLV66Nv93Z-48TExOnJQm9w/s400/554.jpg)
Sheath dress made from Simplicity pattern 4633 in red embroidered Moygashel linen.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHzI-ZoUa6eRcNghIqqHaorCxqkdi33L1S6j3BEkB622Ffpp2bo-jqt1m4lUBe-osO75HszSzKYqxl4S84HlsiIU43NWhcuu_hANqVKqL7CzsKtC5X2wq3uikf_UyHj3OqvANJQ/s400/555.jpg)
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.