Spring Is In The Air - Hats and Accessories from 1956

Ruth Mary Packard writing in the Ladies Home Journal in March, 1956 gives important advice for spring hats, purses, shoes, jewelry and gloves...what every well-dressed woman needs to know.

"Your hat has more size...let it enhance but not overwhelm you..it must be scaled to your features as well as your figure. The shape is important...be sure it is becoming. Leghorn is the straw of the season, in natural, black and pastel colors."

 "A shower of yellow flowers on a small pale yellow straw hat by John Frederics for a yellow tweed suit by William Popper, or for neutral costumes."

"Pongee-beige pumps (one in calfskin, one in suede with calfskin tips) matching Nettie Rosenstein's top-handle envelope. Bangle bracelets pick up the color of the calfskin pump at right."

"The leaf hat in blue by John Frederics, with a wearable, medium-sized brim, worn with a linen-weave silk dress by Mollie Parmis."

"A patent-leather slipper edged with white goes with a linen bag with bamboo frame. Sunburst jewel by Frederic Mosell, is a pin for many occasions, for a dress or a suit." 

"The charm of pale beige, gold and light bright red in spectator pumps that are right for all wools and tweedy mixtures, a slim ladyfinger of a bag in bright red strawcloth by Morris Moscowitz, a new shape to carry with suits."

"The hat of the year, the shape that sets a trend - in natural Milan draped with silk polka-dotribbon, by Aldolfo. The bag is strawcloth by Coblentz; the dress is a simple silk shantung by Jerry Parnis, quiet accompaniment for the excitement of the hat."

"Pale yellow combines beautifully with cocoa, browns, coral reds. Here are a shell-trimmed cotton-tweed bag, long slender pigskin gloves, a grained-leather spectator and a calfskin toe-strap slipper - all for town wools and tweeds."

Paris Fashion - 1955 Spring Lines on Street Corners - Givenchy and Dior

"Spring Lines on Street Corners" from Realities Magazine May 1955
"Four out-of-doors ensembles from the current collections"
Photographs by Sante Forlano

"No 1332," an ensemble by Givenchy with a new formula: a three-quarter coat, sleeveless and boat-necked, in a warm beige tweed, worn over a wool jersey suit in the same shade. The silk umbrella is by Vedrenne.

"Anglomanie:" two pieces that look like three are something to sing about, A long-torsoed dress by Dior in black and white Glen plaid becomes an almost classic suit when its jacket is buttoned up. New points: the longer back of the jacket over the pleated skirt. Worn with a yellow straw beret.

"No 4298:" a wide stand-away collar with its triple-fold bow is the headline news of this natural Glen plaid suit by Givenchy. The collarless three-quarter coat in a darker beige fleece is straight and simple. the cap matches the suit. Her leather bag is by Hermes.

"The A Dress," a pearl for the oyster: a dark gray flannel suit by Dior. The long double-breasted jacket, slit on the side, pyramids over a wide-pleated skirt held out by a petticoat. Hat in white felt.
(Photograph taken in front of Marius restaurant, 9, rue de Bourgogne, Paris)