Thank You and 1949 Evening Gowns

Thank you a thousand times for the huge outpouring of support after my blog post last Monday.  As your comments and emails poured in during the day and throughout the rest of the week, it became crystal clear that my time spent here is worth every minute.  I appreciate every one of you and am so glad that you enjoy my work.  I want you to know that I approved and posted every comment that came in, including a couple of less-than-positive remarks from anonymous posters.  In response to a few suggestions, I have removed the word verification from comments and will be watermarking the photos in a less conspicuous way.  And now, back to work!

I wish I could tell you where Louise Dahl-Wolfe took these beautiful photos in 1949.  The background of the antique silvered mirror wall provides a perfect setting for three luscious party dresses that are perfect for summer.

Left:  Red and white polka dotted cotton organdy fashions a strapless pouf of a dress by Fred Perlberg.  Prarie points accent the edge of the bodice.  Sold for $29.95 in 1949 (about $284 in today's dollar.)
Right:  More organdy, this time in white printed with bouquets of roses.  The gown is by Ceil Chapman and has a ruched bodice with a shoulder wrap that extends from one side.  Sold for $70 in 1949 (about $665 in today's dollar.)

David Klein designed this dress to look like a flower.  White taffeta forms petals over netting in the skirt.  Sold for $35 in 1949 (about $332 in today's dollar.)

I'll Have One of Each Please!

 Don't these shoes look great?  And comfortable too!  Town & Country ran this two page ad to introduce their new line of jewel-toned shoes and bags for spring of 1949.  They were made of Maracain, which was a trademark of Allied Kid Company.  Maracain was "unfinished and partly finished leather made from kid, goat, calf, or cowhide."

At left, the Basquette wedge sling back came in turquoise, yellow, red or green.  On the right, the Basquette low heel shoe came in turquoise only.

At left, the Allegro sandal came in yellow, turquoise, green, red, and white.  There's the Basquette wedge again at the right.  All of the shoe styles sold for $8.95 in 1949 (about $83.00 in today's dollar.)  And here's the kicker:  they were all available in sizes 4 to 10 and widths AAA to B.  I wish today's shoes were available in all those sizes.

The matching purse came in all the colors and sold for $10.75 in 1949 (about $100.00 in today's dollar.)

Since I can't choose, I'll have one pair of each please, in all the colors.....and the matching bags would be nice too.  Aren't they great?

The Little Brown Dress

Christian Dior New York ribbed silk dress with a large bow draped across the bodice.

It is said that every woman should have a little black dress in her wardrobe. But if you subscribe to the "seasonal" skin tone theory, the only people who can truly wear black near their face well are those described as "winter". The rest of us should choose something less harsh like gray, navy, or brown. Granted, I wear black a lot, but rarely on top because I am a "spring". Black near my face tends to accentuate the rings under my eyes and makes me look tired. I do like to wear brown, though. It just works for me. What about you? Do you wear brown as a neutral in your wardrobe?

In the spring of 1949, brown was a popular color of choice for many fashion designers (especially M. Dior), as evidenced in these photos.

Omar Kaim for Ben Reig silk organza and satin evening gown with a large bow at the side.

Christian Dior Couture brown wool suit.

Jo Copeland brown tulle over taffeta dress with low decollete.

Christian Dior Couture silk dress with fly-away skirt panel at the back.

Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, 1949

Could you just die? This stunning ensemble was designed by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig in the spring of 1949. The floral fabric is an Onondaga silk styled by Philip A. Vogelman. The little capelet jacket slips on over a sheer white blouse with pearl buttons. The pearls are echoed in a triple strand choker at the neck. Can you see the ingenious draping of the skirt? Click on the picture for a larger view if you like.

But what about that chair she's standing in front of? Can anyone tell me about it?

Weekend Eye Candy - Christian Dior, 1949

Staying warm in a Christian Dior red wool coat with black fox fur at the sleeves, 1949.