Are you ready to take a chic step back in time to the 1950s and 1960s? When Vicky Vaughn Junior Fashions were the must-have for stylish young people around the country. From a variety of pastel-colored, boxy plaid skirts to the classic form-fitting sheath dress, Vicky Vaughn was a popular go-to designer.

In this article, you’ll learn the history of this fashion line, see the vintage ads and be mesmerized by the stunning real life examples of 1950s & 1960s dresses.

Let’s begin!

1950s Fashion: 1950s Vicky Vaughn Junior Early 50s Fit & Flare with wide strips in brown, blue, grey and white.

Source: Bobbins & Bombshells

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Vintage Fashion Spotlight: Vicky Vaughn

Vicky Vaughn History

Vicky Vaughn was the junior division of R & M Kaufmann, Inc in Aurora, Illinois (NOT an actual designer). The Kaufman brothers began making ladies dresses in the 1920s. They built their business by producing high quality but moderately priced dresses and sleepwear. The company was able to keep prices low by mass producing garments in their own factories. In fact, their motto was “Only the LOOK is expensive.” Sales grew steadily through the use of full page advertisements in Seventeen, Mademoiselle and Charm magazines as well as the use of live television commercials on shows such as “Beat the Clock.” The Kaufmann’s also produced the Toni Todd line for misses sizes. The company was sold to Russ Togs in 1969 (Source).

Vintage 1950s & 1960s Fashion Advertising

1951 fashion ad featuring some pretty fantastic 1950s dresses.

Oh my, they are all so beautiful, I just don’t know which one I would pick!

1950s Fashion Advertisement featuring Three 1950s Vicky Vaughn Junior Dresses.

Source: Pinterest

“Campus Cottons from Vicky Vaughn”. 1953 fashion ad.

I simply adore all these dress styles (especially the green one).

Source: Pinterest

1956 fashion ad featuring dresses in the prettiest of summer plaid (checks).

1950s Fashion: 1956 fashion ad featuring Vicky Vaughn dresses in the prettiest of summer plaid (checks). Pretty 1950s dresses.

Source: Pinterest

‘Tippi’ Hedren modeling a Vicky Vaughn dress (1954).

Note: The next photo is the leaf dress for sale RIGHT NOW! It’s more stunning in real life!

1950s Fashion Ad: 'Tippi' Hedren modeling Vicky Vaughn fashion (1954)

Source: Pinterest

A 1950s black and white check sleeveless cotton wiggle dress with scoop neck. The dress features leaf shaped appliques (dress is in the above ad). FANTASTIC!

1950s Fashion: A 1950s Vicky Vaughn black and white check sleeveless cotton wiggle dress with scoop neck. The dress features leaf shaped appliques. So Cute!

Source: Etsy – Nightofjoyvintage

The bigger the skirt, the cutier the dress gets. 1955 fashion ad featuring three outstanding full skirt dresses.

1950s Fashion Ad from 1955 featuring Vicky Vaughn 1950s dresses. Big Full skirts on the dresses with the prettiest of patterns.

1958 fashion ad. The dress with the bows is so lovely.

1950s fashion Ad from 1958 featuring Vicky Vaughn dresses. A Fit & Flare Dress and a two piece skirt and oversized top.

“Red Carpet looks with a spanish feel’ – 1960s vintage fashion ad (possibly 1960).

1960s Fashion Ad for Vicky Vaughn Junior 1960s (possibly 1960s) Dresses.

Source: Pinterest

1960 ad featuring 1960s dresses perfect for spring time rides on a bike.

1960s fashion ad for Vicky Vaughn dresses featuring 1960 Fit and Flare Dresses perfect for spring time.

Source: Pinterest

1960s Fashion Ad for Vicky Vaughn 1968 jersey shift dresses.

So fun! Love the Monopoly themed ad.

Source: Flickr

Marian McKnight, Miss America 1957, in John Wolf’s Everglaze taffetized cotton dress by Vicky Vaughn Juniors for R. & M. Kaufman (Source).

1950s Photo: Marian McKnight, Miss America 1957, in John Wolf's Everglaze taffetized cotton dress by Vicky Vaughn Juniors for R. & M. Kaufman

Sourve: Digital.hagley.org

Real Life Vintage Vicky Vaughn Junior Dress Examples

Note: I have put together a collection on ETSY of Vicky Vaughn dresses that is updated monthly). eBay also has these dresses available if you don’t find what your looking for on Etsy.

1950s Vicky Vaughn turquoise halter dress with matching bolero and belt with tassel embroidery.

Source: Etsy – ScoutedVintage

1950s Vicky Vaughn Tulips dress as seen in the vintage advertisement from the same time period. I LOVE when the matching ad is found (or catalog page).

1950s Fashion: 1950s Vicky Vaughn Tulips dress as seen in a 1950s vintage advertisement.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Vicky Vaughn Tulips dress

Source: Etsy – Vintagevavavoomz

1950’s lemon meringue color, embroidered shelf-bust full skirt dress with semi-sheer peekaboo panel. Adorable!

1950s Fashion: vintage 1950's dress ...pretty VICKY VAUGHN lemon meringue color, embroidered shelf-bust full skirt dress with semi-sheer peekaboo panel

Source: Etsy – traven7

Darling vintage 1950s classic Vicky Vaughn fit and flare style dress in 2 layers – blue floral acetate/nylon with matching blue floral nylon chiffon overlay.

1950s Fashion: Darling vintage 1950s classic Vicky Vaughn fit and flare style dress in 2 layers - blue floral acetate/nylon with matching blue floral nylon chiffon overlay.

Source: Etsy – RetrouverBizVintage

1950s Vicky Vaughn turquoise blue cotton fit & flare dress.

1950s Fashion: Lovely turquoise blue cotton dress / Vicky
Vaughn 1950’s fit & flare dress - button front with side metal zipper - eyelet embroidered bodice - full pleated skirt bottom - Bloused top with full sleeves button closure on sleeves - The perfect spring summer dress in vibrant color!

Source: Etsy – DarlingDawnVintage

Gorgeous coral pink early 1950s cotton frock by Vicky Vaughn Junior. Charming big patch pockets, white appliqué.

1950s Fashion: Gorgeous coral pink 1940s/ early 1950s cotton frock by Vicky Vaughn Junior. Charming big patch pockets, white appliqué.

Source: Etsy – SkirtChaserVintageLA

1950s scarf print dress with the cutest bows on the shoulders.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Vicky Vaughn Scarf Print Dress with a full skirt and bows on the shoulders.

Source: dethrosevintage.com

1960s Vicky Vaughn mini dress in a pretty light blue with a cute bow at the waist and lace on the cuffs and waistline.

Source: Etsy – BackToCamelotVintage

Adorable vintage 1950’s zoo animal novelty print cotton day dress.

Source: Etsy- zwzzy

1950s pink floral fit and flare dress. A fantastic cocktail dress.

1950s Fashion: 1950s pink floral fit and flare dress from Vicky Vaughn. A fantastic cocktail dress.

Source: Etsy – LoQueFueBoutiqueShop

What a fun dress! A 1960’s yellow & white lace chiffon mini GoGo dress that feels a bit 1920s.

1960s Fashion: Vicky Vaughn 1960's Yellow White Lace Chiffon Mini GoGo Dress

Source: Etsy – JellyEyesVintage

I don’t know about you, but until I stumbled upon the first dress in this post online from Bobbins & Bombshells, I had never heard of Vicky Vaughn, but boy did that dress catch my attention. STUNNING! I can now say that I’m a fan and will 100% be looking for this label when I am out vintage shopping.

Question Time: Have you heard of this fashion line? Do you own a Vicky Vaughn? What dress did you love above? Share any thoughts about this post in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Vintage Fashion Designers (Archived blog posts)
Vintage Fashion 1920s-1960s (Archived posts)

In November I like to dedicate some of the month to blog posts on Women & Canada’s participation during WW2. I have done many posts on this topic and it’s always exciting when I find content I have not shared before. Like today’s post….”1940s images of Canadian Women in Military Uniforms During WW2“.

This post was one that I have wanted to do for some time, after my guest blog post in 2014 from writer (and friend), Elinor Florence entitled “WW2 Air Force Uniforms for Canadian Women”. Many of the images you will see below are discussed in this fantastic read. Please take some time after your done here, to take a look.

Now without further adieau, here is my newest read.

1940s vintage photo of Canadian Woman taking a break to chat during WW2. They are part of the CWAC. In 1941, the Canadian Women's Army Corps was created, paving the way for a long tradition of Canadian women in the military

1940s Vintage Images of Canadian Women In Military Uniforms During WW2

Unidentified Woman in uniform with bag on chest in front of ‘Canada’s New Army’ posters.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

Vintage photo of the new Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service “Wren” uniform -1943.

1940s vintage photo of New Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service "Wren" uniform -1943.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

Signal officers of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (W.R.C.N.S.), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 1943.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (W.R.C.N.S.) signallers during training at H.M.C.S. CORNWALLIS, Deep Brook, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 1943.

1940s Vintage photo: Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (W.R.C.N.S.) signallers during training at H.M.C.S. CORNWALLIS, Deep Brook, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 1943.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

Canadian Red Cross Corps Uniforms.

Models show the uniforms worn by all four sections of the Second World War CRCC.

Source: redcross.ca

Three CRCC Welfare Officers visit a convalescing soldier overseas (ca. 1943-45) while distributing “ditty bags” on a hospital ward.

1940s Vintage Photo: Three CRCC (Canadian Red Cross Corps) Welfare Officers visit a convalescing soldier overseas (ca. 1943-45) while distributing “ditty bags” on a hospital ward.

Source: redcross.ca

Mary Laura Wong (Mah) enlisted with the CWAC (Canadian Women’s Army Corps) in Vancouver, British Columbia where she was employed as a teletype keyboard operator.

Further Reading: The story of Chinese Canadian military service is one of determination, courage and honour. & Chinese Canadian Women in the War

1940s Vintage Photo of Chinese Canadian, Mary Laura Wong (Mah) enlisted with the CWAC (Canadian Women's Army Corps) in Vancouver, British Columbia where she was employed as a teletype keyboard operator.

Source: Veterans.gc.ca

Learning is always important!

Canadian Woman’s Army Corp (CWAC)- Unidentified Women in uniform sitting with books on their laps.

Interesting Fact: CWAC had 50,000 women in its ranks during the Second World War in support roles ranging from cooking to decoding (Source).

Further Reading: The Canadian Women’s Army Corps, 1941-1946 via Canadian War Museum

1940s vintage photo of the Canadian Woman's Army during WW2- Unidentified Women in Uniform Sitting With Book on Laps

Source: Library & Archives Canada

Eva May Roy (on the right of the photo), Roy left her job as a presser in a laundry to become a machine operator and fuse assembler at the General Engineering Co. munitions plant in Scarborough. Roy enlisted in 1944 and joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC), a new division created just three years earlier. She’s one of many Black women who served in the Canadian Forces during the Second World War — people whose stories are largely missing from the public record (Source).

Roy was a trailblazer, serving overseas at a time when it was rare to see a Canadian military woman working in Europe.

Her story goes much deeper then this, so I encourage you to read all about Eva at the link below.

Further Reading: ‘She didn’t hesitate’: The untold story behind a Black Canadian woman’s wartime portrait

1940s Vintage photo of 2 Black Women in the Canadian Women's Army Corps during WW2

Source: CBC.ca

A young Canadian woman in military uniform is shown in this photo, counting pins surrounded by boxes of them from different colleges and universities in Canada.

1940s vintage photo of a Canadian Woman in Military Uniform counting pins surrounded by boxes of pins from colleges and universities in Canada.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

Nurses with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in Normandy, July, 1944.

(Image source: Government of Canada)

Woman’s Air Force, 1940’s. Unidentified Woman in uniform using wireless equipment.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

In the Canadian Auxiliary Air Force, women worked in the parachute packing and checking department.

Source: Community Stories

1940s’ recruitment poster – “Men & Women. The RCAF Needs You Now!

1940s' recruitment poster for Canadian RCAF duing WW2 asking for men and women to enlist

Source: Library & Archives Canada

By looking at 1940s vintage images of Canadian women in military uniforms during WW2, we can reflect on the history of women in the military, the impact of women’s contributions to the war effort, and the ongoing efforts to recognize the efforts of women in the military and beyond. These images remind us of the advancements women have made in the military and encourage us to continue to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in all contexts.

Thank you for dropping by!

Further Reading: World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront Posts

Liz

P.S. I’m off to Las Vegas for my mother’s 70th, so I won’t be having a new post until I get back. Follow along on Instagram.