Plaids and Checks for Spring, 1959

While plaids are often associated with dressing for fall, there are some that are perfect harbingers of spring.  Think houndstooth checks in black and white or pastel colors.  Think plaids in paler, more muted tones like tans, blues, aquas or pinks.  Think plaids and checks in small or micro scale.  Think lighter weight tropical wools or rayons.  Think plaids and checks for spring!  The looks today are from Spring 1959.

Jane Derby fashioned this suit of a houndstooth check in black, white and brown.  The bodice of the dress is beige wool jersey.  Love the fringed effect at the edges.  Huge leather bag for travel by Mark Cross.

Maurice Rentner beige and white check wool suit worn with a white crepe blouse.  This suit would have likely been designed by Bill Blass before his name was put on the label.

Pattulo-Jo Copeland red and white micro check wool suit is as perfect for travel as it is for the office or the Easter holidays.

Harry Frechtel wool and mohair tweed suit in a mix of coral and white.  Worn with a matching hat and scarf.  That's another travel bag by Mark Cross.

Houndstooth is the perfect choice for your spring coat.  This one by Jack Sarnoff is fashioned of gold and white wool.

Jerry Parnis Dress - 1959

Jerry Parnis is the less well known sister of Mollie Parnis.  This party dress from 1959 is fashioned of sheer white silk organza wtih Schiffli embroidery.  The tiny spaghetti straps are almost not there.  So very pretty and feminine!  Sold in 1959 for $110 (about $856 in today's dollar.)

Jane Derby Suit - 1959

Oh, little suit from 1959, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.

1.  Your classic houndstooth check pattern in brown, black and white can be worn anywhere.
2.  The self fringed edges at the jacket opening, neckline and sleeve cuffs add just the right amount of whimsy.
3.  You're a dress, not a top and skirt.  No constant tucking throughout the day.
4.  Big buttons and a brown leather belt add interest and break up the checked pattern.
5.  How could one not love an outfit designed by Jane Derby, designer of high-end ready-to-wear.  The quality of construction is surely superb!

Let us also pay homage to the large leather travel bag by Mark Cross.  I'd carry it as a tote today.....everywhere.

Wearing White, 1959

Christian Dior

White, white, white is the HOT color for spring 2011, as it was for spring of 1959. Shown here are white garments from that year. Will you be adding white to your wardrobe this season?

Originala white wool fleece coat with dramatic fox fur collar.
Worn with a white skirt by Sloat.

Ben Reig white wool lace sack dress,
accented with jeweled pin and turquoise shoes.

B. H. Wragge white wool doeskin dress with relaxed shape.

B.H. Wragge white wool jersey swimsuit.

Teeny Bikini, 1959

Yes, 1959! Are you surprised? I sure was! Like most of you, I would have guessed 1970s. Perhaps more suprising, this image is from an American fashion magazine! The magazine used this photo as a tickler for a spread on swimsuits called, "South: The Rebirth of the Body." It suggested a woman might dare to wear this bikini "to bathe from a lonely beach in a great empty ocean....or for....a deserted early morning hour on the beach, a trip to an uninhabited cove."

The Darlene green Ban-Lon bikini sold at Bonwit Teller.

Of course, the magazine realizes the reality for the American woman....." she will no doubt be less abandoned and poetic. Trimming her sails to social propriety, she will pull on one of the dashing but more modest bathing suits" like this one. Sea B's elasticized Orlon maillot in black and white. It will be another 15 years or so before the teeny green bikini will become accepted as the norm.

Evening Gowns for Spring - 1959

Our look at fashion for spring ends with evening gowns from 1959. Gowns with ruffles. Gowns in chiffons. Gowns in pastel shades. Gowns for a spring cotillion. Which is your favorite?

Chanel

Mme. Grés

Pierre Balmain

Christian Dior

Pierre Cardin

Party Dresses - 1959

Are you going to a holiday party this weekend? Do you have your dress picked out yet? Today, looks from 1959.

Luis Estevez emerald green silk strapless ball gown with bow at waist. Sold for $225 in 1959 (about $1,691 in today's dollar.) Love the brooch worn at the waist.

Henry Rosenfeld white brocade dress with a full skirt and bow at front. Sold for $18 in 1959 (about $125 in today's dollar.)

Emma Domb bisque taffeta strapless gown with beading at the bodice and a matching stole. Sold for $85 in 1959 (about $639 in today's dollar.) Check out those angled folds at the top of the skirt!

Rappi white silk strapless sheath with an aquamarine floating panel at the back. The bodice is embroidered. Sold for $125 in 1959 (about $940 in today's dollar.)

Kay Selig emerald satin strapless bubble dress. Sold for $50 in 1959 (about $376 in today's dollar.)

Anne Fogarty white satin sheath with matching coat lined in Rex rabbit fur. Rex rabbit is lush and soft and mimics chinchilla. There's another brooch worn at the waist. Sold for $350 in 1959 (about $2,631 in today's dollar.)

Weekend Eye Candy - Valentino 1959

A strapless red dress with tulle roses on the skirt from Valentino's Couture line for Spring/Summer 1959. Photographed in 2000 by Peter Lindbergh.

1959 Tina Leser Lounge Ensemble

OK, yes, this is a 1959 ad for toilet paper. But look beyond that to the elaborate hostess outfit worn by the model. The set is by Tina Leser, who was noted for her use of fabrics from around the world. Much of her design inspiration came from the traditional ethnic costumes of foreign countries. Here, she uses golden Indian silk sari fabric to make a hostess coat worn over a pair of silver lined silk organza harem pants. The coat is fully gathered at the back and has slits to the waist at the side seams.

This is what the fashionable 1959 woman would wear to lounge in the evening or to entertain at home. The little gold harem slippers take the outfit a bit over the top, though, don't you think?

Ski Wear from 1959

We're supposed to get more snow this weekend in Boston, which means lots of people will head up to the slopes in New Hampshire and Vermont. Here's a look at some ski wear from 1959.

Above: A bright knit Swedish sweater by P&M over wool/nylon stretch ski pants. A knitted cowl hood keeps the neck and ears warm.

Here a white lambskin jacket to wear off the slopes by Georges Kaplan. Worn with White Stag wool/nylon stretch ski pants and red suede booties.

On the left, a pigeon blue nylon parka by Ernst Engel is belted over wool/nylon stretch ski pants. The parka's hood can convert to a collar or a muffler too. On the right, beige nylon reverses to bright orange wool on this quilted parka. Worn over tangerine stretch pants by White Stag.

Whatever your weekend plans, have fun!