Need an easy party ensemble that you can throw together at the last minute? A 1950’s Housewife Costume may be perfect for you!
A 1950’s Housewife Costume
First, you may want to decide on who your favorite 1950’s housewife is.
Maybe it is June Cleaver, the chic pearl wearing mom to Wally and the Beav.
Perhaps it is the always perky Donna Stone?
You could consider uber-cool Betty Draper.
Me? I am Lucy Ricardo all the way!
The Look
Week after week these lovely ladies most often wore some form of the classic shirtdress.
Early 50’s
Late 50’s/Early 60’s
They were generally made out of brightly colored cotton.
The Accessories
While going to town required gloves, a hat and heels, housework required a suitable flat shoe.
Housewives wore jewelry even while cooking and cleaning.
The perfect finishing touch is a cheerful apron.
Aprons were an easy way for a lady to show off her needle skills. They can be found in every color and hundreds of motifs. Holiday-themed aprons are my favorite.
You can find both vintage dresses and aprons at thrift stores, estate sales, eBay and Etsy.
Retro-inspired dresses are also often sold at ModCloth, Unique Vintage and even Amazon.
Simplicity 3923
I opted to sew my own dress using a vintage pattern, Simplicity 3923, view 1. I did not add the ruffled detail as I only had 3 yards of fabric.
Due to the collar construction, I would classify the pattern sewing skill level as intermediate. I do not recommend using a striped material. A solid, gingham, or floral would be a better choice.
A Hairy Tale
I opted for a Donna Stone hairstyle which is highlighted by a vintage rhinestone barrette.
I could not get the stripes to match on the collar lapel and having no extra fabric resorted to just buttoning the top up all the way.
The mid-century buttons were a gift from my friend Dartanyan.
The pattern was found at the Costume College bargain basement bin sale for 25 cents. The vintage Peter Pan brand fabric was $3.00 at an estate sale.
The vintage apron was found last year at the Round Top antique week for $1. I think black gingham is the perfect choice for Halloween.
I am wearing the same reproduction 1950’s crinoline, also worn HERE, underneath for that extra skirt poof.
Great Props
Make sure to carry a mixing bowl, mop or toilet bowl scrubber (new please)!
Putting On The Dog
Did you know the ever-loyal and loving dachshund was THE dog to have throughout the ’50s?
Best Prop Ever
My gorgeous Gracie girl. We adopted her at the age of 2 and she’ll soon turn 4.
Our sweet girlie is a miniature Dapple Pie (Dapple + Piebald) doxie.
The cat’s eye sunglasses (and black reading glasses above) are my own. But you can often find them at party stores.
Vintage belt and Sam Edelman flats, from a few seasons ago, complete the BEST IN SHOW look.
Just For Fun
I’ll be back on Thursday!
Laura
You are just too cute! Love the retro dresses. You do such beautiful work and are so resourceful with fabrics and notions.
I am old enough to remember my mom wearing a house dress or skirt and blouse every day for doing housework. It was a big deal to her when she bought a pair of slacks (pants were for men) but she only wore them around the house for years. One day she bought a lovely pair of woolen dress slacks and set off to wear them in public! What a saucy character she was then! lol She soon figured out that wearing pants was much more practical and comfortable. No girdles, nylons or garters to deal with. (Pantyhose were not available even by then for a few years. She was quite tall. That deceitful label of ‘One size fits all was quite a marketing scheme. They never quite fit her until the properly sized ones came along) Putting on an apron was as natural as washing your hands when you walked into the kitchen. You saved a lot of laundry with a wringer washer and clothes line when you covered up your clothes, everyday or dress.y. She was quite happy with her many pairs of polyester pants but she never once tried jeans. That was just pushing the limit too far!
Thanks for another fun trip down memory lane admiring your beautiful outfits and accessories. BTW, my first pair of prescription glasses looked a lot like your reading glasses, just not as many rhinestones! lol
How fun, you look adorable in all the photos. Love your dress, it is perfect.
What a hoot! And today is the 68 year anniversary of the first episode of I Love Lucy being aired on television.
I have sisters who actually wore these kind of dresses, not to mention my mother. When my daughter was married in 2005, we had a shower with a 50s theme and it was hilariously fun. The brothers in law were soda jerks, and we had everyone from June Cleaver (my sister, the hostess) to the pink ladies (the bridesmaids) come in costume.
You hit another era out of the park with this costume, Laura!
This is just the bees knees, Laura! You are adorable (and so is Gracie!) and the dress couldn’t be any more perfect. I remember my mom in shirtwaists often. Four stars!
This is just so fun Laura! I’m a child of the 50’s, so this is really familiar territory for me! A few years ago, I gave an Apron Tea. Everyone was to wear their favorite apron and pearls. I had a picture of June Cleaver as part of the decorations. I set up my old wooden ironing board with old products for doing laundry and vintage apron patterns.. The favors were glass bottles of Coke with those little aprons we used to make to go around them. Everyone got a copy of that old story about mother’s apron. It was all so fun. Here’s to the 50’s! You make a really cute 50’s lady!
You look fantastic! Best costume ever! I have always loved the 50’s moms and the clothes. What cracks me up ha always been the crinoline slips and pearls while doing the dishes.. LOL! Great post.. Seriously adorable. ❤️
You are adorable! I love this time period for vintage fashion. Your recreation is spot on!
Hi Laura, I love this throwback post. Your Gracie is a cutie and dachshunds have such sweet dispositions. My dog growing up was part dachshund and terrier. Keep sewing these fabulous garments. Take care. Joan
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this post!!!!! Super duper. You’ve got the style down. Absolutely darling.
The television moms were all a hit. Loved each one and watched way too much television as a kid. Kind of like being on the computer and phones of the kids today.
Blessings to you,
d