"Soon The Season of Tailors" - French Style in 1950

It's January, 1950 in France and les Bonnes Soirees magazine says you need a good tailored jacket. So many choices! But if that isn't enough we have some two-tone dresses (don't miss #422) and some designer goodies too. "Soon The Season of Tailors" is a google translation...I'm guessing one of you can do better. Please?

Television and Radio Scarfs - 1950

You slacker! Haven't you made scarfs for your entire house? The TV, the Radio, all your Chairs, Tables, Dressers and Couches? Well, what about the Fridge? Get going!

The Wedding March - 1950 - Bridal Drama

I am looking at these trains...they are amazing. But I wonder why they stayed in fashion for weddings long after they were worn "everyday"? I am guessing it was to distinguish these dresses from any others...this was not going to show up at the grocery store. But there are several fashion historians out there, some of whom might even read this blog. So what are some of the reasons wedding dresses look they way they do?

The Wedding March - 1950 - Lace Loveliness

This group includes a rare groom sighting. Those guys weren't very important in the overall scheme of things. Back then it was all about her, the dress and the cake.
(Let's forget about Bridezillas, Say Yes To The Dress, and all those Cake shows- we've come a long way baby.)

The Wedding March - 1950 - Satin and Lace

I'm back with a charming look at "The Wedding March" -"A Guide for the California Bride", published in 1950 and sent out to brides-to-be "upon announcement of engagement in Southern California". It's a large glossy magazine all in black and white, but it gives us a glimpse of the lush gowns these gals had to choose from.

More to come....

Christian Dior Gown in a Carpet Ad -1950

Which just goes to show you that beauty stands out no matter where it is!

Give Your Coat A Gala Lining - From Woman's Home Companion 1950

Renee Duke in her new-old coat. She hemmed the lining, made it an inch shorter than the coat, tacked it to the coat at the seams. Then she gave the coat new buttons, made a blouse to match the lining.

This year the newest coats flaunt gay and brilliant linings. As we saw more and more of them we wondered if this mightn't be a good way to make an old coat look new. Associate Editor Renee Duke brought in a gray flannel coat that she had worn so long she didn't think she could get another season out of it-would we like to use it as a guinea pig? We would and did. We asked our dressmaker to work out the simplest possible method of putting in a new lining-the step-by-step process you see here. And Renee likes her coat so much that she plans to wear it all winter.

1. When you rip, You may find that an inner lining has been stitched to the lining or the coat. Either way it's simplest to stitch it to the coat, if you want to retain it.

2. To make a pattern for the new lining. pin the pieces of the old to heavy paper, draw around them. Be sure to mark the grain lines before you cut the new fabric.

3. If you use plaid or stripe, match it. Then sew scams of lining together, also seams of sleeves. Do not attach sleeves until body lining has been sewed to coat.

4. Slipstitch lining to coat, leaving lower edge free. Slipstitch sleeve linings to lining now sewed to coat at shoulders, turn under at wrists and hem to sleeves.

...easy -to-live-in, fun to wear.

"A gay array of fabrics and Simplicity Styles make it fun to dress as a clan."

Simplicity Fashion Preview 1950

Here are some more fabulous Fifties Fashion!

Simplicity Fashion Preview - Fabulous Summer Outfits from 1950

Some summer time looks from 1950 for the gals, grown-ups and girls!