Swimsuits - 1961

Evidently, green was popular for the summer of 1961, as Harper's Bazaar did an entire issue of the magazine based on the color. Here, the look of swimsuits for the summer of 1961, all in shades of green.

Rudi Gernreich blouson swimsuit in rayon matte jersey. Sold in 1961 for $35 (about $257 in today's dollar).

Robby Len green floral print Lastex two-piece suit. The bottom has side draping. Sold in 1961 for $13 (about $96 in today's dollar).

Catalina lime green maillot with welted seams and a low-cut back in stretch nylon. Sold in 1961 for $20 (about $147 in today's dollar).

One piece green swimsuit by Stafford-Higgins with a blouson top with cap sleeves and an elasticized waist that ties with a belt. Sold in 1961 for $10 (about $73 in today's dollar).

Top, Rose Marie Reid cap-sleeved maillot in green floral print nylon. Sold in 1961 for $26 (about $191 in today's dollar).
Bottom, Cole of California stretch nylon maillot in two tones of green with lacing at the neckline. Sold in 1961 for $19 (about $140 in today's dollar).

Photos by Melvin Sokolsky for Harper's Bazzar

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Luis Estevez - 1961, Part 2

What happens when you buy a multi-page ad in a fashion magazine? You get your dresses featured editorially, of course! In the same issue of Harper's Bazaar that featured the ad pages of Luis Estevez dresses in Mexico I showed you yesterday, the magazine features 2 full pages of Estevez dresses with a focus on lace for evening. You'll notice the same two-piece waistline inserts on two of these evening dresses that we saw on some of the day dresses yesterday.

At left, white lace dress with black silk bow at waist. Sold in 1961 for $100 (about $735 in today's dollar). Hat by Halston of Bergdorf Goodman (yes that Halston).
At right, black lace and white silk organza with a turquoise silk two-piece sash. Sold in 1961 for $125 (about $919 in today's dollar). Hat by Halston. Earrings by Miriam Haskell.

At left, strapless black re-embroidered lace with white silk organza and vibrant pink silk two-piece waistband. Sold in 1961 for $185 (about $1360 in today's dollar). Hat by Vincent Harmik. Earrings by Miriam Haskell.
At right, black lace one-shoulder dress with side draping. Sold in 1961 for $110 (about $808 in today's dollar). Hat by Emme. All gloves by Kislav.

I hope you've enjoyed our look at dresses by Luis Estevez this week. I always count him as one of my favorite designers. In a Life magazine article dated April 2, 1956, Luis Estevez said his wife was his inspiration for his feminine designs. "She likes her dresses to have sharp lines and to be as sexy as possible within the boundaries of good taste." I think he was still true to that mantra 5 years later.

Photos by Melvin Sokolsky for Harper's Bazaar.

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Luis Estevez - 1961, Part 1

In 1961, Luis Estevez again teamed up with Mexican tourism in a multi-page ad for Harper's Bazaar. This time, however, the photos are in color, there are only 3 pages instead of 9, and the photos are all taken at one location, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.

At left, flare-skirted white cotton printed with pink roses and a linen inset waistband. Sold for $70 in 1961 (about $515 in today's dollar).
At right, white cotton sheath with yellow and orange floral print and inset linen waistband. Sold for $55 in 1961 (about $404 in today's dollar).

At left, black linen sheath with a basket-weave neckline. Sold for $90 in 1961 (about $661 in today's dollar).
At right, Estevez sews together silk scarves in a yellow daisy print with solid borders to make this sheath dress. Sold for $80 in 1961 (about $588 in today's dollar).

At left, pink silk bodice with softly flared white silk chiffon skirt. Sold for $125 in 1961 (about $928 in today's dollar).
Center, fitted sheath in beige and white ribbed cotton. Sold for $65 in 1961 (about $478 in today's dollar).
At right, magenta pink silk/linen sheath with dramatic slashed back. Sold for $80 in 1961 (about $588 in today's dollar).

All photos from Harper's Bazaar, 1961. No photographer credit given.

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Paris Couture Suits - 1961

On the Paris Couture runways for Spring 1961, designers showed suits in pastel colors as well as pale neutrals. Pink was the standout color in all shades, from blush to deep rose. Jackets were generally shorter and boxier with a softened shoulder line and sleeves ranged from elbow to bracelet length. Big buttons were a prominent feature. Skirt length was at the knee or slightly below. Here are some of the best.

Before Pierre Cardin's Mod looks became wildly popular, he designed classic suits and dresses. Here, his mauve pink wool suit has a loose-fitting jacket with a scallop at the hem. It closes with a large mauve flower at the neckline. The jacket is lined in printed silk chiffon.

Lanvin Castillo's rose pink wool suit features a curvy short jacket with elbow length sleeves and a stand-away collar.

Nina Ricci departed from the rest of the couture pack by showing a longer hip-length jacket, here layered over a matching sheath dress. The jacket, in gray worsted wool that reverses to beige, is closed with a loop at the side waist.

Jacques Heim curves the short jacket of this suit up in the front to expose a bit of the printed silk organza blouse. The suit is of a pink silk/linen blend.

In his first collection for Dior, Marc Bohan showed this suit in pale gray tweed. The jacket has a cut-away front and sloped shoulders. A shorter sleeveless shell in the same tweed is under the jacket.

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Paris Couture Evening Gowns - 1961

On the Paris Couture runways for spring of 1961, the favorite look for evening was anything but black. Lots of white and pastel shades were shown, and ethereal floating chiffons in floral prints were also wildly popular. Here are a few evening gowns for your enjoyment.

Mme. Grès slim-fitting gown in lime-yellow silk crepe with floating hip-length panels at the front and back.

Jean Patou slim-fitting sleeveless gown of white silk surah with big black polka dots. The matching jacket has black mink fur cuffs.

Jean Dessès silk chiffon evening gown in a yellow, orange, and white floral print. The gown is low-cut and fitted and has a floating wrap that is crossed and wraped at the shoulders.

Pierre Balmain two piece set. The silk marquisette top is covered with gold embroidery, coral beads, and rhinestones. It is worn with a white silk chiffon skirt.

One of the few black dresses for evening 1961 by Jacques Heim. Narrowly pleated black silk chiffon falls from a straight strapless neckline and has a wide black satin sash at the waist.

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Sweet Summer Dresses - 1961

It's the end of January. About this time every year, I start to get tired of cold weather and wish for tropical breezes through open windows. You know, the type of weather that allows you to wear sweet little summer dresses like these from 1961. Take note of the adorable headbands accented with flowers and brooches and the wonderful bouffant hairdos.

I should mention here that the dollar values given are not what the dresses should sell for today on the vintage market. I am strictly comparing what each particular dress cost in 1961 to the amount that cost would equal today using an inflation calculator. In doing so, I am not assigning a value to a vintage dress you may have in your closet. There seems to have been some confusion about that. OK, disclaimer over!

Left: Orange and white gingham check edged in white braid by McArthur. Sold in 1961 for $17.95 (about $129 in today's dollar).
Right: Black polka dots on white with black velvet ribbon trim by R&K Originals. Sold in 1961 for $22.95 (about $165 in today's dollar).

Country Set separates feature embroidered Maypole dancers on yellow and white striped cotton chambray. Left: Skirt with attached petticoat worn with sleeveless blouse. Sold in 1961 for $20.00 (about $144 in today's dollar).
Right: Embroidered popover top with button back worn over fully lined "deck pants". Sold in 1961 for $15.00 (about $108 in today's dollar).

Sue Brett black and white plaid voile shirtwaist. Sold in 1961 for $17.98 (about $129 in today's dollar).

Juniorite orange broadcloth appliqued with oversize flowers. Sold in 1961 for $17.95 (about $129 in today's dollar).

Left: Pale blue voile decorated with white lace medallions by Betty Barclay. Sold in 1961 for $14.98 (about $107 in today's dollar).
Right: Orange and red diagonal stripes by Jeanne D'Arc. Sold in 1961 for $17.95 (about $129 in today's dollar).

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Jewelry Trends - 1961

In 1961, dress silhouettes were very sleek and simple with no fussy necklines to be seen. Jewelry was an important way to accent that look. The hot trends in jewelry that year were:
- Drop earrings
- Multi-strand bead necklaces in short lengths
- Longer 22" length necklaces with larger beads
- Large chunky pins, many in floral shapes
- Bangle bracelets worn in pairs
- Large sparkling cocktail rings

From the Paris runway, Christian Dior necklace of grey, white, and black cut-crystal beads. Also came in a longer version.

From the Paris runway, Lanvin three strand necklace of faux pearls dotted with tiny rhinestones
.
From top to bottom:
- Miriam Haskell floral brooch with jet black stones
- Mimi di N.-Brania gilt and rhinestone ring
- Bergere gilded wire flower brooch with faux pearl center
- Scassi pin of gilt metal with rhinestones and a green stone at center
- Trifari pair of bracelets in gilt with pavé rhinestones

From top to bottom:
- Hattie Carnegie three strand necklace of terra cotta color beads
- Joseph Mazer ring with pavé rhinestones in clear and blue
- Monet 22" strand of gilt beads
- Monet four strand chocker of gilt beads (2 necklaces stacked here)
- Brania long necklace in gilt with black beads

From top to bottom:
- Castlecliff ring with huge baroque mock pearl and topaz colored stones
- Marvella Coutura three strand necklace in faux jade and gilt beads
- Marvella Coutura drop earrings with faux coral teardrops
- Sandor Goldberger maltese cross pin set with faux lapis stones

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1961 Little Girl's Dresses

It wasn't easy being a little girl in 1961.

Pants and shorts were OK for outdoor play, but otherwise? We always had to wear a dress. We wore dresses to school, to parties, and for shopping.

Sometimes we had to wear stupid pinafores over our dresses. And then there were the scratchy crinoline slips that made us fidget.

And don't forget the Mary Jane shoes with anklet socks that always fell down and had to be pulled up over and over. Or, even worse, the tights that wouldn't stay up.

No, it wasn't easy being a little girl in 1961.

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Weekend Eye Candy - 1961 Bill Blass Suit

Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner paisley cotton dress and jacket sold for $185.00 (about $1350.00 in today's dollar). Worn with a Lilly Daché hat, Kislav gloves, and an Eisenberg pin. The lap dog - priceless.

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Swimsuit Styles 1961

We're back to cold weather today, and I'm dreaming of tropical breezes, sand, and sun. What better way to indulge my dreams than with some one-piece swimsuits from 1961 photographed in St. Croix.

Brigance for Sinclair cotton print suit with a gathered skirt over bloomers. The print is of green and black beach balls on white.

At left: Brigance for Sinclair navy and white stripe maillot in a cotton, lastex, and orlon knit.
At right: Brigance for Sinclair navy and white print maillot with a square neckline and navy patent belt in cotton and Lastex knit.

Susan Thomas skirted swimsuit in white cotton sateen with navy blue Schiffli embroidery.

Brigance by Sinclair one-shoulder skirted suit in navy blue cotton with white polka dots, belted in navy blue patent.

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1961 Prom Dresses

First order of business: In my rush to get out the door yesterday to accomplish a mile-long list of errands and thrifting, I neglected to credit Casey of Casey's Elegant Musings for finding the great vintage style sunglasses at Forever 21 that I blogged about yesterday. I normally would never shop at Forever 21, as I left that age many, many years ago, but I will definitely be purchasing some of their sunglasses on my next trip to the mall. Thanks, Casey!

It's almost April, and most girls who are attending a prom this spring have either found or been searching for the prom dress of their dreams for weeks. Here are some prom dresses from 1961.

Turquoise blue dotted swiss full skirted dress with a lowered waist and skirt covered with rows of tiny ruffles by Rappi. Sold for $69 in 1961 (equals about $500 today).

More dotted swiss, this time black on white edged in black ric-rac. By Dorothy Litzan for Roban. Sold in 1961 for $49.95 (equals about $365 today).

White cotton lace bodice with white cotton organdy skirt and a sash of blue satin by Harry Keiser. Sold in 1961 for $49.95 (equals about $365 today).

Sheer striped white cotton organdy is layered over a blue taffeta lining in this strapless dress by Cotillion. Sold in 1961 for $59.95 (about $438 today).

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1961 - Fun Sneakers

Red Ball Summerettes - aren't they cute!!!!!!!!! Flats and wedge heels in lots of colors and fabrics.


Randy brand sneakers in ticking stripes. I like these too.

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Spring 1961 - Pretty Prints and Big, Big Hats

April 1961 - One of the important looks for this season is huge statement hats with wide, wide brims. Here they are paired with dresses in pretty prints.

Dress by Mollie Parnis in Liberty of London silk. Hat by Sally Victor. Earrings by Hattie Carnegie.

Dress by Samuel Winston in silk surah. Hat by Mr. John.

Dress by B.H. Wragge in nylon jersey knit. Hat by Mr. John.

Dress by David Crystal of jersey knit. Hat by Mr. John. Stacked necklaces by Richleau.

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