Vintage Full Skirted Dresses - 1957

Full skirted party dresses like these from 1957 are a perennial favorite with my customers.  Nothing makes your waist look tinier than a full skirt and these dresses just have a certain romanticism to them.  What about you?  Do you like wearing this style?

At left:  Dansant ice blue taffeta dress with sequined bodice.  Sold for $45 in 1957 (about $363 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Betty Lane separates give the look of a dress.  Blue satin blouse with a white lace skirt.   Sold for $27 in 1957 (about $193 in today's dollar.)

At left:  Dansant strapless taffeta adorned with rhinestone studded lace.  Sold for $50 in 1957 (about $403 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Dansant nylon ruffles with a wide taffeta waistband.   Sold for $50 in 1957 (about $403 in today's dollar.)

At left:  Carole King black silk organza with silk and silver lurex skirt.  Sold for $25 in 1957 (about $202 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Carole King cotton and silk blend dress with gold printed highlights.  Sold for $25 in 1957 (about $202 in today's dollar.)

At left:  Jo Collins silk shantung and organza dress with a pretty rose print.  Sold for $30 in 1957 (about $242 in today's dollar.)
At right:  Junior Flair floral print chiffon dress.  Sold for $30 in 1957 (about $242 in today's dollar.)

Jonathan Logan (a favorite label of mine)  blue roses print on nylon chiffon.  The taffeta lining is also printed with roses for a shadow effect.  Sold for $25 in 1957 (about $202 in today's dollar.)

Full Skirts - 1954

By 1954 - 55, full skirts were an important part of fashion. While slim skirted styles were still popular, by this time most women who could wear a full skirt had at least one in her closet. Keep in mind, at this time in history, a dress was an investment that was expected to last for years, not weeks or months as is the norm today. In the 50s, most women had far fewer garments in their closets than we do today. Any dress that was purchased had to be versatile and well made, because it would be worn often.

Here, some full skirted styles from 1954 - 55.

Anne Fogarty cotton dress with pintucks from shoulder to hips. Sold for $25 in 1954 (about $195 in today's dollar).

Hubert de Givenchy floral silk taffeta dress in grey and yellow.

Adele Simpson navy silk taffeta dress. Sold for $155 in 1955 (about $1233 in today's dollar).


Ben Reig's grey flannel suit has a full pleated skirt. Sold for $295 in 1955 (about $2347 in today's dollar).

Full Skirts - 1951

Dior may have introduced the full skirt with his "New Look" collection of 1947, but the look wasn't adapted by most American women until 1951. In fact, it wasn't until the summer of 1951, that American Vogue magazine declared "The Full Skirt is the New Skirt". And it wasn't until 1951 that lingerie makers started offering crinoline petticoats in various shapes and fulnesses to be worn under these new full skirts.

Things to consider when wearing full skirts? They look best with high heeled, sleek shoes. Think about the coat you'll wear - a waist length narrow jacket or a long full coat that is the same length as the dress is required. To avoid too much bulk at the hips, consider a drop waisted style with the fullness flaring out from a hip yoke. And choose the proper petticoat with a shape and length that compliments the shape of your full skirt. Wear it inside out if the seams snag your stockings.

Here, some designer styles from 1951.

Black silk organdie suit by Jacques Fath.

Larry Aldrich's black faille dress has the hip yoke referred to above. Sold for $50 in 1951 (about $410 in today's dollar).

Adele Simpson silk brocade suit. Sold for $175 in 1951 (about $1435 in today's dollar).

Castillo white rayon net over silk faille party dress with contrasting silk faille "apron". Sold for $265 in 1951 (about $2173 in today's dollar).