Another month is zipping on by like it was almost never here, can you believe it? I have had a fairly quiet month, beside my yearly Vegas Trip for German Karneval (Mardi Gras), I have stayed pretty close to home. This means I have had lots of time to do some reading and some YouTube watching. Today’s post is a highlight of some of the vintage goodies I have enjoyed this month.
Thursday’s Google Doodle was of a woman, named Bessie Coleman. Bessie was the first African-American woman to hold a pilot license. She was also the first American woman to hold an international pilot license. Wow this is truly fantastic!
I have had never heard of Bessie but she will forever be on my mental mantle of awesomeness, right up there with the other women mentioned in the above article.
3. There is a Twitter page called ‘Diary Dear‘ that tells the tales of a shop girl living in Toronto, starting in 1938. They tweet a page from her diary every day and so far what I have read has been fascinating for the vintage lover like myself. I will be interested to see if they get far enough into her diary where she begins to mention WW2, and what it is like in Toronto at that time.
5. Need ideas on how to give your home a bit of that Vintage Shabby Chick look? Then this Room by Room Guide to Vintage Chic by Laura Preston, inspired by the Rosebery Hotel is perfect for you!
This past weekend I went to a Big Band Lindy Hop dance right here in Toronto and I decided to wear my favorite 1940s reproduction Shirtwaist Dress by Trashy Diva in honour of the evening. This dress gets so many compliments every time I wear it and people are surprised when I tell them it’s a dress not a shirt. Hence why it’s called a “Shirtwaist Dress”.
Post Updated September 2023. Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBayare Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
The dress and me a couple of years ago doing some silly dance move. Can’t tell I’m a dancer here can you? lol!
My other Shirtwaist dress from Trashy Diva.
The shirtwaist dress is not just a 1940’s style, in fact the 1950’s is really where it found its popularity and it’s place in fashion history.
BLOG NOTE: I have also done on a post on the ‘1940s & 1950s House Dress‘ not realizing that they are basically the same style of dress, just called different names. You can find that post by clicking on the name of the post just above.
The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940’s & 1950’s
History of the 1940’s Shirtwaist Dress
The 1940s shirtwaist got its name from how it combined a blouse top and a skirt bottom into one dress and had as its basis the wartime, utilitarian appeal.
The shirtwaist skirt was always an A line cut, flared just enough to be loose over the hips and wide enough for easy walking. It was also light on fabric quantity which met the rationing restrictions during the war years. As rationing lifted more gathers were added to skirts for even more fullness. Long knife pleats were also in style and added to the straight military inspired look of the 40s. The long pleating also slimmed down the A-line skirt into a rectangle tube which was a trendy shape going into the late 40’s (Source).
The dress was considered a useful ensemble for most daily activities, evening-wear, and even participating in sporting events.
In the late 1940’s Christian Dior popularized this style with his “New Look” collection in the famous fashion year of 1947. Dior focused on the “nipped-in” waist and a full (often very) full skirt. The iconic “Shirtwaist Silhouette” is born (and can be seen in almost every decade after this).
Agnes Moorehead had an amazing career with two golden globe awards, an emmy award and four academy awards. She was in Citizen Kane, Dark Passage, All That Heaven Allows, Show Boat, and Bewitched. She was also known for her radio play Sorry, Wrong Number.
See the ladies during the 1940’s may not have had the ability to wear extravagant gowns but they did know that it was all about the accessories to take that outfit to the next level. These hats are perfect examples of that!
Source: Etsy-momandpopcultureshop
History of the 1950’s Shirtwaist Dress
Dior’s shirtdress was an instant sensation. Its lush silhouette became a staple in women’s fashion for the next decade and beyond, as ready-to-wear designers moved quickly to adopt the style. The shirtdress was a perfect mix of beauty and practicality, and thus became the unofficial uniform of the 1950s housewife (Source).
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art
1950’s Fashions (as seen in 1950’s Sewing Patterns)
The Dior New Look has indeed taken over the shirtwaist dress as you can see in the 1950’s vintage sewing pattern. LOVE IT!
Vintage 1940s dress, red wine rayon gabardine button shirt dress.
Source: Etsy
1940’s Black Rayon Shirtwaist Dress-CLASSIC!
Source: Etsy
1940’s navy and white polka dot shirtwaist dress.
Source: Etsy
While not 100% exact the 1940’s dress below looks very similar to the last sewing pattern above.
Source: eBay-e-collectique.runway
The side pocket in this 1940’s Shirtwaist dress is something I look for when I buy dresses. I love a one pocket dress. Don’t know why..I just do.
Source: Etsy-TulleandTiaraVintage
1940s Pale Green Shirtwaist Dress. I do love green but I did not think I would love this green at first sight due to it being slightly neon like. But I think the breast pocket detail makes this green very wearable. Isn’t it marvelous?
Source: Etsy-MotherOfVintage
I will now leave the 1940’s but not before posting an unbelievably stunning Shirtwaist Dress. This by far has been my favorite of all the images I have seen while working on this post of dresses you can buy right now
Source: eBay-Marneys Vintage Co
Love the embroidered detailing on the upper bodice.
Source: eBay-Marneys Vintage Co
Now lets venture into the 1950’s….
1950’s Autumn Colours Shirtwaist Dress. This is real life similar version to the pattern above. Such warm colours.
Source: Etsy-ModernMillieShop
Super cute and unusual 1950’s shirtwaist dress, featuring a large patch pocket graced with an adorable poodle! WOW!
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1950’s Dress, Toile print novelty Shirtwaist Dress with a full skirt. CUTE!
Source: Etsy
Sue Brett Junior Fashion blue 1950’s Shirtwaist Dress. It buttons from the waist up and has the cutest button detail at the back of the neck.
Source: Etsy
Add some red accessories to this 1950’s blue dress and your ready for a night out on the town.
Source: Etsy-PollyandBandit
All you need is a fantastic pattern to add spice to a simple 1950’s style.
Source: Etsy-ModernMillieShop
Spring yet? The Apples and flowers on this 1950’s dress sure do make me wish spring was here.
Source: Etsy-jumblelaya
Fantastic multi toned green shirtwaist style dress from the 1950s.
Source: Etsy
And lastly I will leave you with this 1950’s L’Aiglon diamond print shirtwaist dress as another wonderful example of this style during the 50s.
Source: Etsy-CapsuleVintage
I hope you enjoyed learning about the history of this Vintage Fashion Staple & seeing stunning real life examples. I love a good Shirtwaist dress and it will continue to be added to my wardrobe.
Question Time: So out of the examples I showed here, did you have a favorite? Or maybe you own your own shirtwaist dress that is your favorite. Share any thoughts in the comments section below.
