1960 summer dresses

As predicted, I've had very little sewing time this week, I haven't even managed to cut out all of my dress. So, as both the patterns I am using for it date from 1960, I thought that for this post I would take a look at the June/July 1960 issue of Vogue Pattern Book, specifically summer dresses.

The dress on the cover, Vogue 9732, has a fitted bodice, gathered skirt, and a very narrow tie belt.

Holiday clothes feature heavily

Gingham is described inside as "having it good this season". As well as the violet version on the cover, it turns up in yellow for Vogue 9205.

This one has a button front bodice

There's more gingham on the back cover, although it is printed rather than woven and alternates with rows of "turquoise daisies" (?) on this Cepea cotton. The dress, another fitted bodice and gathered skirt, is actually made from a McCalls pattern, 5001.

The style makes good use of the print

There are yet more similar dresses in this feature.

L to R: 9971, 5028, 5013, 9991 and 4104

Vogue 9945 has the pleated skirt of Simplicity 3663 and the scooped neckline of Butterick 5748, but is constructed with a wide midriff band and a separate bodice section with short darts above it.

Vogue 9945 - what's in the basket?

The pattern also includes a matching bolero which is, apparently, "tucked in the basket" in this photo (clearly another of Vogue's 'take it on trust' moments). Very oddly, a tiny line drawing of the back view on page 66 is the only indication of what the bolero might look like. I have included an image from the Vintage Pattern Wiki for the curious.

This is

It's not all full skirts, however. There are some sheath dresses as well.

L to R: 9968, 9998, 9952, 9946 and 211

With regards to the fabrics featured in the issue, there are no conversational prints, but "bold design and vibrant colour" are Vogue's predictions for the summer.

Florals and geometrics

More florals

What really caught my eye in the second spread however was the black and white photo.

Can you tell why?

And lo and behold, there's another one.

Clue - it's the image on the right

Corded bias waistbands. You don't see any for ages (possibly ever), and then three come along at once! Clearly it was a 'thing' in 1960. I shall have to try it now.