Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1948

Pierre Balmain designed this red velvet gown with attached train for his Fall/Winter 1948 couture collection.  What a way to celebrate the season!

Weekend Eye Candy - Balenciaga, 1948

For Fall 1948, Balenciaga designed this incredible coat in black silk faille covered in elaborate embroidery.  Genius!

Friday Fur - Vintage Fox Jacket, 1948

From 1948, Marron Furrier in Paris offered this darling jacket in silver fox fur.  I thought at first that this was a capelet, but it looks like those are true sleeves.  Interesting how the short length allows you to show off your tiny waist!

Printed Dresses for Spring - 1948

Spring always heralds the wearing of pretty prints. Here, dresses from 1948. Which is your favorite?

Christian Dior linen with embroidered flowers.

Jean Desses blue and white striped silk taffeta.

Gabrielle geometric print rayon dress with a large white collar.

Left: Clouds dance on rayon crepe by Madeleine de Rauch.
Right: Hermes uses polka dots because spring wouldn't be spring without polka dots.

Fashion Plate

The title of this ad from 1948 is "Fashion Plate", and isn't she? The model exudes stunning sophistication in shades and variations of white. The coat and hat are by Lilly Daché. What a hat! It's not many women who can wear a dive-bombing dove on their heads and not look silly. The statement brooch and earrings are antiques from A La Vielle Russie. A sumptuous pair of kidskin gloves match the hat. And the perfect makeup sets off the entire look. As it should.....


....because this ad was for Revlon's new "Fashion Plate" cream wafer foundation. "Like a wonderful hat - it changes you instantly with the radiant illusion of poreless-as-porcelain perfection."

Wearing White - 1948

Wearing white in the heat of summer is a smart choice, as it reflects the sun's heat and also has a soothing psychological effect. Here's how women wore white for the summer of 1948. Included are our tips for the modern woman who wants to wear white, republished from an earlier post.

Left: Silver Fashions white cotton pique suit with gold buttons. Sold for $28 in 1948 (about $255 in today's dollar).
Center: Glamour Apparel white cotton blouse and skirt. Sold for $18 in 1948 (about $164 in today's dollar).
Right: Nancy Hood white pique suit. Sold for $23 in 1948 (about $210 in today's dollar).

Tip #1 - Choose the right white for your skin tone. Clear, bright white looks best on skin with blue undertones. For those with warmer complexions, cream or ivory is a better choice.

Left: Harry Keiser white cotton organdy dress with eyelet ruffle. Sold for $35 in 1948 (about $319 in today's dollar).
Right: Mary Stevens white dotted swiss dress. Sold for $35 in 1948 (about $319 in today's dollar).

Tip #2 - Select high quality fabrics with enough body to diminish show-through. Lighter weight fabrics should be lined for the best result.

Left: De Pinna white cotton pique dress. Sold for $40 in 1948 (about $365 in today's dollar).
Center: Cameo white cotton pique dress. Sold for $35 in 1948 (about $319 in today's dollar).
Right: Sol Meyerson white cotton dress with gold belt. Sold for $25 in 1948 (about $228 in today's dollar).

Tip #3 - Wear skin-toned underwear with white. White underwear will show through your dress! Choose a bra and panties in a color as close as possible to your skin tone. If your dress is not lined, a nude color slip will work wonders.

Judy Bond white cotton batiste gypsy blouse can be worn on or off the shoulder. Sold for $5 in 1948 (about $46 in today's dollar).

Tip#4 - Choose the proper shoes or sandals in soft beige, camel, silver, or bronze. Avoid wearing heavy colored shoes like black or dark brown. Bright pops of color like red or yellow on your feet can work if they are balanced with a matching accessory. White shoes will give a look that is too "matchy-matchy".

June Arden white eyelet peplum dress. Sold for $15 in 1948 (about $137 in today's dollar).

Tip #5 - White can appear too virginal, too sweet. Offset that tendency by showing enough skin. Choose sleeveless or low-cut styles over being too covered up.

First 3 photos by Landshoff.