American Fashion Spring 1955

As much as we like to look at and dream about Parisian haute couture, American designs were more relevant and more affordable to a 1955 woman here in the U.S.  The styles shown here were featured in an American magazine geared to the average homemaker.  Just as fashion magazines and blogs influence our choices today, a 1950s housewife would see these photos as inspiration for ways to update her wardrobe.  The big difference is that she couldn't run out to H&M or Target and grab a cheap "fashion fashion" version.  No, our 50s homemaker would probably sew her own version or save a few dollars each week for months to be able to purchase one of these designer items that she would then wear for years to come.

Above, Pauline Trigere suit with a striped silk belted jacket and narrow wool skirt.

Golden suit by Claire McCardell worn with blue shoes.

Vera Maxwell silk paisley dress and paisley lined beige silk coat.

Larry Aldrich blue tunic and skirt worn with a nude shoe.

Maurice Rentner cotton sateen floral dress.

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7 Important American Designers, 1954

So often we read about American fashion designers from the 1950s, and we love to drool over the clothes they made, but we have no idea what the designers themselves looked like. I stumbled across this photo which was part of an ad for Chrysler cars in 1954. The ad headline states, "7 top fashion designers find Chrysler Corporation's 1955 cars a stimulating new concept of good design."

Click on the picture to enlarge and you'll see the faces behind the clothes.

From left to right: Tim Brigance, Anne Fogarty, Clare Potter, Lily Daché, Nettie Rosenstein, Pauline Trigere, and Claire McCardell.

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Weekend Eye Candy - Pauline Trigere 1966

Since I'm away on a buying trip this week, you get a second dose of weekend eye candy today. From 1966, a Pauline Trigere strapless beaded evening gown is worn with David Webb jewelry.

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New at Couture Allure - Vintage Dresses and Vintage Suits

Newly listed at Couture Allure are several designer dresses and a couple of fabulous vintage suits.

My favorite this week is this gorgeous 1950's red and yellow brocade cocktail dress with matching swing coat by Frank Tisch.

Here's a stunning 1970's Pauline Trigere evening gown. Worked in a hand-painted silk georgette with gold metallic woven in, this gown's design is based on the style of an Asian cheongsam mixed with an Indian sari.

You have got to click in and see the other pictures of this 1950's Rothmoor suit. The matching cape is attached with buttons at the shoulders, and the jacket itself is fitted and belted. Simply smashing!

New, old stock, this gorgeous 1970's Victor Costa for Neiman Marcus dress is worked in white Cluny lace layered over nude color taffeta lining. Perfect for a summer formal party or wedding!

One of our last prom dresses this season, this 1950's party dress is worked in light blue chiffon layered over pink taffeta and it has darker blue free floating drapes in the back.

You know we love Davidow suits, and this one is earlier, dating to the immediate post-war years of the mid-late 1940's.

Also this week, we've marked down and moved several things to our Sale page. Grab these bargains while you can!

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