As the temperatures rise and the sun shines brighter, it’s time to start thinking about your summer wardrobe (Summer officially starts June 20th). And what better way to get inspiration than by flipping through the pages of a Sears 1955 Spring / Summer catalog?

From flowy sundresses to high-waisted shorts, this catalog is filled with timeless pieces that still have a place in our closets today. So grab your lemonade, put on your cat-eye sunglasses, and join us as we dive into the world of summer fashion in the 1950s.

(NOTE: click the link above to visit the entire catalog. IT’S HUGE!)

1950s Vintage Fashion as seen in a 1955 Spring / Summer Sears Catalog featuring an image of two women in 1950s full swing skirt floral dresses.

All images from ‘christmas.musetechical.com’

The 1950s Spring / Summer Fashions for Women

“This is the year for dresses with matched accessories”. Parasol & dress for only $8.98.

1950s Fashion / Vintage Summer Outfit as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog. The 1950s dress fabric has umbrellas on it that matches her parasol

“This is the year to look smooth. The smooth, slim dress looks smartest in navy or black”. You can also call this style “the wiggle dress”.

1950s Vintage Fashion as seen in a 1955 Spring / Summer Sears Catalog featuring an image of a woman in a 1950s Wiggle Dress
1950s fashion a womens wiggle dress or slim dress as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog

” This is the year for the Petticoat Dress. Ours are the finest, fullest and most flattering we’ve seen for only $10.98″.

The dress on the right is gorgeous and very on trend for this year as floral dresses are being seen all over town.

1950s fashion - The Petticoat Dress / a 1950s Fit and Flare dress style as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Catalog from Sears
1950s Fashion: Petticoat Dress / Fit & Flare Dress Style. One of the 1950s dresses is a Floral dress. All dresses seen in a 1955 Spring / Summer Sears Catalog

“This is the year for new elegance in dresses that wash” & “This is the year for pleats and these wash!”

1950s fashion for Spring Sumer 1955 featuring women's 1950s fit and flare dresses and housedress in stripes, polka dots and floral
1950s fashion for women as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog featuring women dresses with pleats

“This is the year to go formal”. Women’s 1950s evening dresses. AND “This is the year

1950s fashion: Women's 1950s evening dresses as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog
1950s Fashion: Women's 1950s party dresses in the full skirt style of the 50s as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog

“This is the year get more for $5.98” (Like a floral swing skirt dress, coat dress or a stripped flare skirt dress). AND “This is the year for Caribana cottons. They’re washfast…won’t shrink over 1%..wrinkle resistant”. LOVE the patterns on the skirts (the one in the middle is drummer boys and they are calling it a ‘dirndl skirt’).

1950s Fashion: Women's Floral Swing Skirt dress, coat dress & flared dress as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog
1950s Fashion: Women's Full Skirt Patterned Skirts & Patterned Summer Dress as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring Summer Catalog

In these 1950s dresses, you will be able to take them from Spring right into Summer. What one is your favourite (I like the top middle floral dress with the bolero cardigan)?

1950s women's fashions for Spring & Summer as seen in a 1955 Sears Catalog. The catalog page features 1950s dresses in stripes, florals, polka dots and more!

“Skirts & blouses that go together” and “Fashion Separates add up to a versatile wardrobe for city and country wear”.

Love all the combinations of floral full skirts with blouses, blouses with shorts, blouses with capri pants. How fun and a great way to haves o many fun combinations for summer!

1950s Fashion: Women's Fashions for summer that go together and interchange. 1950s skirts with blouses and blouses with shorts or capri pants and jackets. Fun!

“New Junior Cottons” for young Women’s 50’s dresses.

1950s Fashion: Junior Women's Dresses for Summer as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog.

‘California styled separates of sportswear denim’. “Sun and fun fashion in brilliant colors to mix or max in the fashion fabric of sportswear…a superior quality denim with new depth and brilliance of color”

These fashions are SO FUN!! Bermuda shorts (love!), pedal pushers, culottes (can I have 2?!), matching bra and shorts, Italian pants and shirt and blouse. You will 100% be the best dressed at your Summer BBQ.

1950s fashion-1950s summer fashions for women featuring Bermuda shorts, pedal pushers, culottes, matching bra and shorts, Italian pants and shirt and blouse. as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring Summer Catalog

The “Sensational New TAB SHIRT” is what caught my eye on this page of fun 1950s tops and blouses. I love the jacket-style look that you can wear open or closed with a belt.

1950s fashion-women's tops and blouses for Summer as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring Summer Catalog

To have a standout Summer dress or skirt, you 100% need to start with a stunning novelty print fabric for your Butterick Pattern design. The “Signed Originals by Famous American Artists” is just what you need!

I love the boat print on the dress at the bottom. What is your favourite?

1950s Fashion: Women's 1950s cotton novelty print fabrics for your 1950s dresses and 1950s skirts as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring Summer Catalog

Women’s 1950s skirts-pleated, tiered, & patterned.

1950s Fashion: Women's 1950s Skirts-Full Skirts with pleats, patterned & tiered as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring Summer Catalog.

Women’s 1950s swimsuits-‘Kerrybrooke Sea Stars’.

1950s Fashion: Women's Swimsuits / bathing suits as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog. Kerrybrooke Sea Stars brand.

Fantastic Women’s 1950s summer shoes (Oxfords, espadrilles & sandals). “Luscious Color!” “Breeze-cool Cotton Play Shoes to wear wherever your summer fun plans take you. Stay-bright colors was as easily as your nylons”.

Further Reading: “Kedettes”-Keds Stylish Women’s Shoe Division

1950s fashion: Women's summer shoes as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog -Oxfords, espadrilles & sandals.

“Winsome Wedgies”. These wedge Summer shoes will be perfect with any outfit you chose to pair them with.

1950s Fashion: Women's 1950s shoes for Summer-Wedge Shoes as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog.

1950s Men’s Summer Fashions

“OUTDOOR WEAR for Leisure Hours”. Men’s sports shirts and shorts.

1950s fashions for men-Summer fashions for men shorts and men's shirts from a 1955 Sears Spring Summer Catalog

1950s Men’s Short Sleeve Sport Shirts….”Cool as a Summer breeze”.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Men's Short Sleeve Sport Shirts...."Cool as a Summer breeze" as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog

‘Sport Style Knit Shirts & Soft, Knit Cotton Terry Cloths shirts for men’.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Men's Sport Shirts for summer as seen in a 1955 Sears Spring / Summer Catalog

It’s swimming time! Summer Beachwear for men. Cabana beach set & swim trunks.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Men's Beachwear-Swim trunks and Cabana sets as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog.

The “California-Styled Casual Coat & Tropical Slacks” are the perfect look for stylish men in 1955 Summer (and today!).

1950s Fashion: 1950s mens casual jackets, shirts and slacks / pants for summer as seen in a 1955 Spring Summer Sears Catalog.

Thanks for dropping by! Share what your favourite Summer fashions were in the comment section below (or anything else about this topic).

Further Reading: Vintage Summer Blog Posts & Vintage Catalogs (Archived Vintage Inn Blog Posts)

VINTAGE SHOPPING: If you like what you see and you would like to own your own vintage summer fashion piece, I highly recommend  Etsy , eBay to do your shopping.

Enjoy your Summer Friends!

Liz

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

2 Comments on 1955 Sears Spring Summer Catalog-The Summer Fashions

  1. The “California-Styled Casual Coat & Tropical Slacks” would make an unwelcome return in the 70s as the polyester “leisure suit.” This also is basically the same style as the chore coat that is de rigueur today.

    Lovely blog!

    • Ha! Very true! Good observation! I was struggling with putting men’s fashions in the post because they have not changed much over many different generations. Your observation is proof in point. ha!

      Thanks for commenting.

      Liz

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