Dresses, jackets and ensembles

Back at my late 1950s (?) Style counter catalogue, and this time I'm looking the section marked "Dresses With Jackets / Ensembles". Clearly this was an important element of dressmaking at the time, as it's the second tabbed section in the catalogue, after "Dresses" and its various subsections. Despite this being a winter catalogue, there are no new patterns in this section.

1145, on the section's front page, is the newest design

The dresses are almost all straight, there's only one with an option for a full skirt.

1127, with straight or full skirt

Most of the more recent patterns have loose-fitting jackets.

1137, with a loose, hip-length jacket

But there are a number of more fitted options as well, although these tend to be older patterns.

953 is a very fitted shape

There are also some shorter jackets.

968 has a waist-length jacket

Although the basic silhouette of the dresses remains the same, there are lots of variations in design details.

972 has a bodice detail to match the pockets

1024 also has under-bust detailing

1025 emphasises the neckline

As does 1031

1119 has bows and an interesting jacket back

Of the 27 patterns in this section, all but six are described as "Dress & Jacket". I have no idea why 1030 is described as a "Two-Piece" despite it being, well, a dress and a jacket.

The jacket can be made loose or fitted

This "Dress and Shortie Jacket" only goes up to a 38" (96.5cm) bust, so I'm guessing that it was intended as a younger style.

1126, definitely a more modern look

I'm also assuming that it would have counted as an 'ensemble', as the jacket can be made in a different fabric, whereas in all the preceding examples the same fabric is used for both pieces.

These must also have been 'ensemble' patterns, as they consist of three garments.

983, "Three-Piece"

1077, "Three-piece Suit"

1130,"Cardigan Suit & Blouse"

Including patterns for a dress and a full-length coat in this section seems a bit of a stretch, but I suppose that the implication is that you could create an ensemble by either making both in the same material, or lining the coat with the dress fabric.

1036 and 1046 combined in one illustration

Only a couple of the patterns in this section go up to a 44" (112cm) bust, but that is a subject for another post.