6 Hilariously Awkward Model Poses - 1960

FREE IMAGES I was perusing a fashion magazine from 1960 this morning and kept coming across pictures in which the model was posed in a very awkward way.  I thought they might bring a little fun to your day.

This girl looks like she is holding a dress that is far too large for her up with her armpits.  If she lifts her arms, that dress is going to slide right down.

Sit on the chair, but don't wrinkle the dress!  Isn't this one of those difficult yoga poses?

No one will notice your hair if you hold this rose.  Caress the rose, make love to the rose, it's all about the rose.

She needs a prop.  Get her a book!  Reading a book while standing in heels and wearing gloves and a big fur hat is perfectly normal!

Model with long legs and chair with short legs.  Make it work!

The gal on the left looks like she definitely has an opinion about the gal on the right, and it's not pretty!

Designer Hats from Paris - 1960

FREE IMAGES

Pierre Balmain

I posted these gorgeous hat photos on my Facebook page yesterday.  Everyone loved them so much, I thought you might like to see them here. All from Paris, all from the spring of 1960.

Rose Valois

Paulette

Gilbert Orcel

Jean Patou

Claude St. Cyr

Shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, 1960

FREE IMAGES

In photos from the late Fall of 1960, we can see what a different experience shopping was compared to the crammed sales floors of today.  Look!  A place to sit!  Individual service from one of many sales assistants!  Place your order and have it delivered to your home!

Evening gowns galore! 

A gentleman shops for a hat for a lady friend.  Note how the hats are stored in deep drawers.

Space to move with large mirrors and generous lighting while trying on clothes.

And if you had the money, you could shop in the custom salon with even more individualized service.

Finally, in the custom couture salon, you could purchase an exclusive design from Sophie Gimbel (she's on the right.)

Those were the days!

All photos by Peter Stackpole for Life Magazine, 1960.

Vintage Brocade Coats for Evening

FREE IMAGES

Michel Goma brocade coat, 1960

I've always love the opulence of metallic brocades.  These fabrics became very popular for evening wear in the late 50s and early 60s.  I have some beautiful brocade vintage dresses and coats right now at Couture Allure with more to come as the season progresses.

Similar brocade evening coat now at Couture Allure

Brocade cocktail dress with long coat by Nina Ricci, 1960.

Metallic brocade evening gown with matching coat at Couture Allure

Leonard Fashion for Hermes - 1961

FREE IMAGES

Spring 1961

 In 1960, Daniel Tribouillard, Chief Executive Director of Leonard Fashion, invented a new printing process which allowed for knit fabric to be continuously printed.  In the early years of the fashion division of Leonard, the company made exclusive designs for other design houses.  Shown here today are two of their early sweaters for Hermes.

Fall 1960

Both sweaters were a blend of lightweight wool and Crylor acrylic.  How can you go wrong with ballerinas and butterflies?

Mr. Blackwell Dresses, 1960

FREE IMAGES

Mr. Blackwell, of the famous Worst Dressed List, had his own clothing line starting in 1958.  Here he is photographed surrounded by a bevy of beauties wearing his dresses for summer 1960. 

Left:  Angel sleeves add bewitchment to a sorceress sheath of imported silk linen, fitted to make everyone glad  you're a girl.  About $90 (that's $706 in today's dollar.)

Back:  Flag-colored stripes blazed on sailcloth.  Cutaway jacket, giant clutch purse, square-necked sheath of sailcloth.  About $45 (that's $353 in today's dollar.)

Right:  High voltage colors in a flowered cotton sheath strewn with glitter.  Added flirting voltage: neckline, fish-tail skirt.  About $45 (that's $353 in today's dollar.)

Macshore Classics Blouse - 1960

FREE IMAGES

Macshore Classics was a maker of women's blouses beginning in 1943.  The company's products were well made, so well made you can find their vintage blouses for sale quite often.  If you wear blouses, I recommend that you give a MacShore Classics cotton blouse a try. The quality of materials used, the construction, the fit, and the details will far surpass any modern blouse you can buy at the mall today.  I guarantee it! 

The blouse shown above from 1960 is a great example. The front panels are accented with navy blue embroidered flowers that are filled with white lace appliques.  Isn't it pretty? 

Macshore Classics is a family-owned company and is still in business today in Greenville, SC, although now they make bedding and drapes.  All of their products are made in the USA! 

Beautiful Vintage Swimsuit Photos - 1960

FREE IMAGES

Photography is not a particular talent of mine. I am always struck by the beauty of many photos I find in vintage magazines.  These gorgeous swimsuit shots are all from 1960.

From an ad for travel to the Bahamas, this photo is by John Lewis Stage.  It is entitled, "Liquid Sunshine, 20 Feet Deep."  Quite the glass bottomed boat!

This advertisement for Catalina swimsuits gives no credit to the photographer.  I love the way the white light in the sky and on the water is juxtaposed to the white swimsuit.

In an editorial photo for the magazine, photographer Frances McLaughlin-Gill uses an unusual position to capture a gorgeous shot.  The model's body angles from upper left to lower right in a visually arresting picture.  Swimsuit by Catalina, swim cap by Kleinert's.

Big Pockets - 1960

FREE IMAGES

Today I am inspired by big pockets!  What a cute way to add interest to a simple dress.  If you're sewing your own dress, you don't need a pattern for a patch pocket.  Just draw the pocket you want, cut it from fabric and sew it on.  Make it as simple or as dramatic as you want.  You could cut it from a contrasting color or print to make it stand out even more.  Cute, right?  Make sure your pocket fabric has enough body to hold it's shape on the dress.  You don't want it to flop or crumple.  If you're using a lightweight fabric, your pocket should be lined, or at least interfaced.

This polka dot dress by Junior House has simple patch pockets cut from the same polka dot fabric.  Dress sold in 1960 for $23 (about $178 in today's dollar.)

Sir James rayon dress was available by mail order in coral, blue, yellow, lilac, beige, white and black.  Sold in 1960 for $25.95 (about $202 in today's dollar.)

Weekend Eye Candy - Jean Patou, 1960

FREE IMAGES

Pink lace by Jean Patou, Spring 1960.  How I wish this photo was in color.

Weekend Eye Candy - Norman Hartnell, 1960

FREE IMAGES

From the collection of the Fashion Museum in Bath, UK.  This Norman Hartnell gown from 1960 is fashioned of silk jersey that is embroidered and encrusted with rhinestones.  The matching jacket is trimmed in fox fur.

What to Wear With Yellow

FREE IMAGES Flipping through a magazine from 1960 this morning, I came across an article about what to wear with what, and there was yellow yet again!  In case you're thinking, "#IWouldWearYellow, but I have nothing to go with it," here are loads of ideas for you, my dears.

Left:  Yellow silk coat worn over a pale blue dress, accessorized with darker blue and green jewelry and green shoes. 
Right:  Bright yellow dress worn with orange-y red accessories.

Left:  Pineapple yellow suit worn with a yellow polka dotted white blouse and accessorized with a rattan handbag, gold jewelry and nude shoes.
Right:  Pineapple yellow dress worn with a pop of green hat, jade jewelry and beige shoes.

Left:  Pastel yellow silk dress worn with a polka dotted yellow hat, gold jewelry and pale yellow shoes.
Right:  Pastel yellow dress worn with a deeper orange-y yellow coat, pale yellow shoes and a pop of blue and white jewelry.

What would you wear with yellow?