Dresses for the Heat of Summer - 1956

Air conditioning was not mainstream in 1956.  Some public buildings offered it, but at home window units were expensive and uncommon.  Women tried to stay cool by wearing lightweight fabrics, although slips, bras and girdles were still de rigueur.  Today, summer dresses from 1956 that were made to beat the heat.

Pink and white checked cotton lawn is criss-crossed with insertion lace for a light airy effect.  Larry Aldrich.  Sold for $110 in 1956 (about $914 in today's dollar.)

Cotton voile in black with copper colored dots.  Oleg Cassini.  Sold for $70 in 1956 (about $582 in today's dollar.)

A sweet cotton poplin playsuit gets dressed up for town by wearing a co-ordinating floral skirt over it.  Both pieces by Pat Premo.  Sold for $40 in 1956 (about $332 in today's dollar.)

Semi-sheer cotton voile in a cool champagne color fashions a simple shirtwaist dress.  Vera Stewart.  Sold for $95 in 1956 (about $789 in today's dollar.)  Mr. John lace hat.

White pintucked cotton batiste with rows of insertion lace layered over pale yellow lining.  Harvey Berin.  Sold for $175 in 1956 (about $1454 in today's dollar.)

How do you dress to stay cool in summer?

The Look for Parties - 1965

What's the news in party looks for 1965? Beads, beads, and more beads. Metallics and pink. Big, big hair. Heavy eye make-up and pale lips. Bold jewelry.

Sophie of Saks white lace cocktail dress with beaded lace jacket. Necklaces by Star of Siam.

Mollie Parnis cocktail dress in beaded net that floats over a nude crepe lining. Huge pearl ring by Schreiner.

Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner pink mohair suit completely covered in pink sequins. Suit came with the pink silk blouse. Necklace by K.J.L.

At left: Sarmi red silk satin gown with a bow on one shoulder. Earrings by Mimi di N, rings by Schreiner.
At right: Sarmi golden jacquard silk one shoulder dress. Bracelet by Hattie Carnegie, earrings by Apex Art.

Larry Aldrich red and gold brocade cocktail dress edged in beaded embroidery. Sold for $225 in 1965 (about $1560 in today's dollar.) White mink bubble hat by Halston.