We're on the brink of a sea change in the fashion world. Lately, the industry has made great strides in being more inclusive to models of all shapes and sizes.
Unfortunately, that still doesn't always mean that mainstream fashion is adapting to suit all frames and figures. So, we decided to turn and take a look towards the past, with some help from ModCloth, an online clothing boutique which takes a lot of inspiration from vintage silhouettes, especially the shapes popular in the 1950s. Plus, added bonus, they offer free shipping on anything over $75, and returns are super-easy!
Style in the 1950s was all about celebrating the female form. Sure, we’re happy to the leave the girdles and garters behind — though a few modern women might be happy to hold onto them — but those fit-and-flare silhouettes and sweetheart necklines are just as becoming today as they were when Dior first dreamt ‘em up!
After all, this whole era was about balancing a more conservative and old-fashioned feminine ideal with the newly independent modern woman. The women of the fifties were coming right off of a World War II, when they were working hard to keep the country going while the most of the men were fighting overseas. It makes perfect sense that these ladies would be the masterminds behind an aesthetic that perfectly pairs ever-flattering, ultra-feminine silhouettes with edgy details that demonstrate a taste for independence.
For all of us living in 2015, that means that the 1950s are the perfect decade to mine for figure-flattering shapes that feel vintage, but not old-fashioned or stodgy. Whether you prefer a dramatic hourglass silhouette or a sleek, bombshell look, you're bound to find a retro style perfect for you. Scroll through the gallery below to see 10 of our favorite '50s-inspired dresses that are sure to flatter every figure!
Photo Credit: YouTube/vintageortacky
1. Traveling Cupcake Truck Dress In Black
This is the quintessential beach babe dress to wear while you're eyeing up cuties by the boardwalk. We love the peppy vibe of the polka dot pattern, especially when combined with that adorable sweetheart neckline and halter strap. This look gives you a pin-up girl edge, without sacrificing any modesty!
Get this fun, flirty look here, available in sizes S-3X.
2. Blueberry Buckle Dress
This polka-dotted frock is perfect for a day of domestic bliss! With adorable details that hint at the shape and pattern of an old-school apron, this feels like the perfect romantic day dress for prettifying your house and cooking up some goodies. Plus, that swaying circle skirt is super flattering on every figure, so tie your hair up in a kerchief and get baking!
Get this adorable day look here, available in sizes XS-4X.
3. Soda Fountain Dress In Grape
This swingy, collared frock is perfect for a picnic in the park! We always love the casual and relaxed vibe of the modern shirtdress, but it doesn't always hang just right. With this vintage-inspired sash wrapping you up in a bow, you'll be cute and comfortable as you go about your day. Plus, this style is perfect for work, thanks the conservative neckline and cap sleeves. Bonus: If this isn't your shade, it comes in just about every color.
Get the look here, available in sizes S-3X.
4. In Your Elegant Dress
Got a sock hop on the books? This lacy teal frock is just the thing for a glam night on the town! It's a bit more dramatic than some of our other picks, but this gorgeous gown feels like just the right thing to wear on an especially cool night out. Maybe you're learning how to lindy-hop, or listening to some experimental jazz. Either way, the swingy skirt and demure neckline have you covered.
Get the look here, available in sizes 2-26.
5. Wined, Dined, And Entirely Refined Dress
This understated tartan sheath is definitely designed to flaunt your killer curves! While some of us might be inclined to shy away from a shape that fits snugly around the hips, a dark sheath dress like this can actual elongate and slim your trunk, while still emphasizing the narrowest part of the waist. Plus, that edgy keyhole neckline elevates this from a conservative sheath to a totally killer power-dressing ensemble.
Get this sophisticated look here, available in sizes XS-4X.
6. Pleasing To The Aye Dress
Ahoy, matey! We're loving the nautical vibe of this darling white-and-navy dress, and the whimsical movement of the little cape built into the neckline! With that loose, A-line skirt, you won't have to worry about the wind whipping your dress away, and the sailor suit theme lets you play a game of vintage dress-up without looking like you're in costume.
Get this irresistibly nautical look here, available in sizes XS-4X.
7. Pine All Mine Dress In Evergreen
This flattering sweetheart neckline is bound to win many admirers! On top of that, this is the perfect basic retro cut for any occasion. This shape of dress honestly looks good on absolutely everyone. The full-skirt will hide problem areas or create hips, while the wrapped neckline can either create the illusion of a bigger bust, or help to display what you already have without showing too much skin. This is the retro equivalent of an LBD; every girl should have one in her closet!
Get this classic look here, available in sizes XS-4X.
8. Love You Ivory Day Dress
Have your very own Marilyn moment in this silky little day dress. But stay away from subway grates! We think that this sweet wrap dress looks just like the one Marilyn wore in The Seven Year Itch, but with a slightly more conservative neckline. So if you love the notorious bombshell's signature vintage glam, but you aren't interested in displaying quite so much, this is the perfect frock for you!
Get this perfectly flirty look here, available in sizes XS-4X.
9. Conversations Over Canapes Dress
Channel your inner Hitchcock heroine with a dynamite green dress perfect for a femme fatale. Honestly, this stunning sheath looks like it came right out of Vertigo, don't you think? And this is another case of embracing the dark-toned sheath dress. There's a reason that the ladies of the '50s loved the nipped-in waist of a sheath just as much as a fit-and-flare; this kind of gown shapes the body and flaunts your dangerous curves—but without sacrificing your sense of decorum.
Get this chic look here, available in sizes XS-4X.
10. Sheath A Lady Dress In Navy
Finally, round out the decade and prepare for mods, minis, and mutiny with this Betty Draper-esque sheath in a bold white and navy color scheme. The '60s are right around the corner, ladies! While the next decade definitely brought a few more, um, chaotic style moments, the classy ladies of the late fifties knew how to combine a demure shape with a cool detail to show a little personality. After all, the working women of the mid-century had an independent streak a mile high, just like their contemporary sisters in the 21st century!
Get the look here, available in sizes XS-3X.
If these darling retro dresses make you want to hop a time machine to 1955, please SHARE on Facebook for all of your fellow vintage vixens!
