Ravishing Runarounds for that Well-Heeled Look

The Ladies who shopped thru the 1960 Floride Fashions catalog had a chance to order these "Ravishing Runarounds for that Well-Heeled Look". And while those Sawtooth Sensations might get all the attention, the Bunny Fur Collared slippers are pretty fierce too!

What the Kids Wore to the Christmas Party - 1960

In this 1960 Florida Fashions catalog there are lots of suggestions for the kids. Mom was responsible for making them look picture perfect at all times, but especially when company was coming. So the have to have darling new outfits, matching everything, and every bit of it had to be ironed. It's no wonder Mom needed a cocktail once in a while.

A Few Unmentionables for Christmas - 1960

A few more images from the 1960 Florida Fashions Catalog. Here are some lovely lingerie and frilly things to brighten the holidays!

What to wear to the Christmas Party - 1960 Florida Fashions Inc.

This is a terrific catalog from Florida Fashions with lots of glamorous holiday choices from 1960. You just know that the Mad Men era was in full swing, that's a Joan Holloway look-a-like on the cover. But if you want to look just right at the company cocktail party you need to order soon, but they do offer "New Jet Air Super Service".

I wasn't able to find out much about this company, but this particular one was mailed to a Miss Elise in California, so they must have been nationwide. After all Florida Fashion Inc. "Brings Florida Glamour To You!"

Actually I always enjoy these sorts of catalogs because this is what women really wore and bought for their families. My mom (or your grandma) would have ordered from these exact sorts of catalogs and paid these prices. They could "Look like a Million! - for little money".

Wardrobe for a Summer Bride - 1960

"On these pages, a very special wardrobe, designed by couturiers from Europe and America, to start making now in the most beautiful of fabrics for summer wedding plans."
We have 'a prerequisite to a wedding trip, a travel suit', 'a champagne evening dress', then 'an ensemble that will work for practically every daytime occasion', and 'a softly draped dress, perfect for little dinners'. But the best is of course, "a toast in lace for a bride who wants the most beautiful wedding gown".

Vogue 208: the bridal dress, a lavish sweep of delicate lace, sashed and partially enveloped in an overskirt of white satin. Petticoat, short dress, included. Sizes 10 to 16.
Vogue 204: the strapless dress with an artfully molded bodice, swirling into a full skirt with graceful mobility for dancing, (can also be floor-length). This, and the brief jacket, designed by John Cavanagh. Sizes 10 to 18.
Vogue 200: the ensemble, an original by Michael of London. The slim dress with easy width through the bodice is topped by a belted, hip-length jacket. Sizes 10 to 18.
Vogue 206: the draped dress., interpreted here in fluid floral crepe. Original design by Rodriguez of Spain. Sizes 10 to 18.
Vogue 207: the going-away suit ... uncluttered lines in an almost classic travel suit, plus its own blouse. Original by Giovanelli of Italy; sizes 10 to 18.

Zipper Ecstasy

What can I say? A girl and her zipper.

Choose the Bold Look of Black and White - 1960

We have more of our Joan Holloway look-alike, this time with her friends from the 1960 Spring Vogue Pattern Book. This article teaches us "how to be a fashion extrovert...choose the bold look of black and white".
These illustrations are done by 'Larson', probably Esther Larson. If anybody knows more about her please share.
Now let's see what the extroverts were wearing in 1960!

Here, and on the next five pages, a decisive change of pace for now-into-summer dressing . . . scarf-print, domino dots, abstract florals, staccato plaids . . . more dashing than ever in the stark contrast of black and white!

Left, 9970: excitement that starts with black and white, builds momentum by the use of black-bordered scarves-by-the-yard. This is further accented by the voluminous belled skirt of the two-piece dress and the wide sleeves that curve outward. "Easy to Make," 10 to 16.

Opposite, 9950: more of the same sleeve shape, this time funneling into a slim skirt. This is a prime example of the positive approach to fashion . . . so pretty, we've shown it on the cover, too! Sizes 10 to 18. Maxwell's silk surah scarf-fabric harlequin-printed squares. For an extra accent, black silk binding was added around the neck, sleeves. Wide belt, Midtown; Marvella "pearls.

This page, 4100: a shaft of Glen plaid silk surah, perfect with accessories in a town-ish mood,especially this "lampshade" hat in Milan straw. The immaculate whiteness of the jacket is further accentuated by bands of heavy black braid. Ensemble in sizes 10 to 20.

Right, 9954: a sleeveless dress with a billowy skirt, the back prophetically bared and topped with a well-sleeved jacket. Sizes 10 to 18. This more-black-than-white look goes effortlessly into town and country evenings. The final touch-stark white baroque "pearls" circlida the throat.

Opposite, 9947: probably the most dashingly feminine way to look at home since the age of the tea gown, these conversation-piece culotte-pajamas in soft, fluid silk, imprinted with newsy freeform circles. Here, sashed in ebony silk, jacketed in charcoal. In sizes 10 to 18.

Right, 9895: hothouse flowers that could only grow on silk, printed in crisp black-on-white and blooming here on floor-length at-home separates. The collar, a graceful sweep of more flowers, tucked, face-flattering. The cummerbund wraps a waistline to slender stem width. Sizes 10 to 16.

Joan Holloway Look-a-Like!

When I saw this cover I stopped in my tracks...it's Joan Holloway! Well, it isn't, but wow, she's a dead ringer. Actually this Vogue Pattern Book is from the spring of 1960, a few years before Mad Men, but I figure Joan had a few things in her closet. Like this Vogue pattern 9950, "A dress with the newest silhouette this spring - the cornucopia sleeve. Black-and-white silk surah by Maxwell; Midtown patent belt. Marvella earrings."

We don't have the models name, but the photographer is Carmine Schiavone, who was a very famous photographer of many models. I'm quite sure Joan Holloway would have been a fan!

Things you find in Patterns

In selling vintage patterns I come across lots of things, usually fabric swatches or ads that show that pattern, but this is a first.

(If you like found things you should look at one of my favorite blogs Forgotten Bookmarks.)

Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie!

Go ahead...tell what you want under your tree...it's just between us. ;-)

Betsy McCall Paper Doll -1960-Betsy Visits Grandma for Christmas

Here's a fun little early gift for a kid who's anxious for Christmas. Click twice on these and print them out. They'll be busy for awhile, letting you get some stuff done!