Colour-blocking is thought of as the exploration of taking colors that are opposites on the color wheel and pairing them together to make interesting and complementary color combinations. It is commonly associated in fashion as a trend that originated from the artwork of Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian (Source).

In the 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent was inspired by Mondrian’s work and created the iconic dress seen below. Colour-blocking was also the early introduction of Mod Style, a 60’s trend known for bold, solid colored separates that were composed of blocks in different hues (Source).

As the sack dress evolved in the 1960s into a modified form, the shift, Saint Laurent realized that the dress's planarity was an ideal field for color blocks. Knowing the flat planes of the 1960s canvases acheived by contemporary artists in the lineage of Mondrian, Saint Laurent made the historical case for the artistic sensibility of his time. Y

Source: The Met

Now in the case of 1940’s & 1950’s fashion, colour-blocking was very understated and normally unintentional. This is why when you research the history of this style, you won’t really find the 40s and 50s being mentioned as a trendy time for this look (at least I could not find much info).

I did find an interesting piece of information about 1940s colour-blocking though….

It was an ideal way to use small pieces of fabric that would not be enough on their own for a garment, combined in ways that could make a whole garment and a fun fashion statement. Designers became very creative with color blocking, even in odd combinations (Source).

Uncut 1940s Hollywood 1759 One Shoulder Dress Pattern Vintage Sewing Grecian Style Dress Color Block Cocktail Dress

Source: Etsy

The Colour Block Fashions of the 1940s & 1950s

Vintage Fashion Examples

For today’s post I want to showcase the 1940s & 1950s and what colour-blocking looked like during this time period of fashion (with a late 1930s & early 1960s dresses thrown in for fun).

Let’s begin!

(Note: Updated March 2024)

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 an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.

VINTAGE SHOPPING: I have put together to make your shopping easier, an Etsy collection of vintage color block fashion’s, that is updated monthly. Happy Shopping!

This is the dress that started this post. It’s so pretty, I could cry! I just wished it fit, but it does not so it will live forever on my blog!

A stunning vintage 1930s puffed sleeved evening gown in black velveteen and mint faille colour block.

1930s Dress - Stunning Vintage 30s Puffed Sleeve Evening Gown in Black Velveteen and Mint Faille Color Block

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s Pink + Burgundy Wool Colour Block Dress (love the colour combo!).

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s Pink + Burgundy Wool Colour Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940’s pale blue & black colour block dress (avail as of March 2024 HERE).

I own a very similar dress to this one and was always confused on how it was supposed to look on, but now I know.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940's pale blue & black colour-block dress

Source: Etsy

1940s Gorgeous Pink and Black Rayon Color Block Dress. I love the colour combo!

1940s Fashion: 1940s Gorgeous Pink and Black Rayon Color Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Holy Jeepers! THIS DRESS!! Falling over from how stunning it is! A 1940s navy blue red white dash print rayon crepe, two tone colour block dress.

1940s Fashion: navy blue red white dash print rayon crepe two tone color block 3/4 sleeves double breast V neck center pleat A-line skirt dress

Source: Etsy

1940’s black and pink pinafore style colour block dress.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940's Black and Pink Rayon Dress/ 40's Colour Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Spring/Summer Modes Royale catalogue from 1947 featuring 1940s Color Block dresses.

Source: rhondabuss.com

Maybe I’m alone on this, but I LOVE COLOUR-BLOCKING DRESSES! Here is another beauty. A vintage 1940s wool gabardine black and dusty pink dress with unique pockets.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Color Block Frock | Vintage 40s Wool Gabardine Black and Dusty Pink Sassy Sensational Dress with Unique Pockets

Source: Etsy

You had me with this dress with those color-blocked ruffles at the back. STUNNING!

A vintage 1940s dark taupe & pumpkin spice orange colour block, rayon crepe cocktail dress w/ruffles.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Fabulous Femme Fatale Frock | Vintage 40s Dark Taupe & Pumpkin Spice Orange Color Block Rayon Crepe Cocktail Dress w/Ruffles

Source: Etsy

1940 Fashion Illustration featuring Color Block Evening Dresses & Casual Day Dresses.

Source: Pinterest

1940s junior rayon puff sleeve colour block dress. Super cute!

1940s Fashion: 1940s junior rayon puff sleeve color-block dress

Source: Etsy

Modes Royale Fall/Winter 1955/56 Fashions.

1950s Fashion Illustration: Modes Royale Fall/Winter 1955/56 Womens Fashions featuring a color block dress.

Source: rhondabuss.com

I’m a huge fan of Rose Marie Reid Swimsuits, as you would of read all about it a past post seen below. So it was very exciting that I found one of her designs for this colour block post, that is for sale! Someone so very lucky will get to own this beautiful 1950s vintage bathing suit and look so fab everytime they put it on. LUCKY DUCK!

Further Reading: 1940s & 1950s Canadian Swimsuit Designer-Rose Marie Reid

1950s Fashion: vintage 1950s designer swimsuit | 50s Rose Marie Reid colour block halter skirted swim bathing suit

Source: Etsy

Glorious 1950’s cotton sun dress. This dress features a large scale colour block of yellow, white and blue, self tie straps and clever pocket placement. This is so darn cute!

1950s Fashion: Glorious 1950’s cotton sun dress. This dress features a large scale colour block of yellow, white and blue, self tie straps and clever pocket placement. Fitted bodice with a scooped neckline, comfortable self tie spaghetti straps, nipped waist and a very full pleated skirt with two hidden pockets. Side metal zipper.

Source: Etsy

Gorgeous 1950s cotton colour block dress done in the gradient shades of pink!

1950s Fashion: Vintage 1950s Dress / 1950s Pink Cotton Colorblock Dress / Full Skirt

Source: Etsy

1950’s Fit n flare cotton dress in a sky blue and chocolate brown color block.

Source: Etsy

1950s red and blue colour block shirtwaist dress.

Further Reading: The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940s and 1950s

1950s Fashion: 1950s red and blue color block shirtwaist dress

Source: Etsy

To end here is a 1960’s Carol Rodgers cotton dress featuring a yellow and white color block print. Also featured is how the dress looked like on the model in this 1963 ‘Lana Lobell’ catalog.

early 1960s Carol Rodgers cotton dress features a yellow and white color block print. Sleeveless. Button closure down front bodice with additional snap closure at front waist. Nipped waist and includes the original matching rope waist ties. Full pleated skirt.

Source: Etsy

Question time: Are you a fan of colour-blocking? Share your thoughts and what your favourite outfit was, in the comments section below.

Thanks for dropping by!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz

History of Hollywood Patterns

Hollywood Pattern Company was started by Condé Nast in 1932. They were known for printing photos of Hollywood stars on some of their patterns, quickly making them very popular. They continued production through the end of World War II (1946) (Source).

Many of the patterns from this now defunct company, featuring stars and starlets on their envelopes, are highly collectable. Those featuring Lucille Ball are particularly desirable. This company did beautiful dresses and suits throughout the 1940s into the 1950s (Source).

Note: I found another website that stated that the patterns were created by a clothing company in the 1930s. From So Vintage Patterns:

“In the 1930s a clothing pattern company launched its Hollywood Patterns, cashing in the public hunger to have that Hollywood movie star look.”

“The fashions were taken from the famous and popular movies of the day, everything from day dresses, evening gowns to beach wear, tennis outfits to the Katharine Hepburn wide trousers to aprons. A gem for the collector is finding the Vivienne Leigh ‘Scarlett’ pattern with an evening gown from Gone With The Wind, any with Lucille Ball for the I Love Lucy collectors and Joan Bennett for the Dark Shadows fans.”