White Christmas Judy Haynes Engagement Outfit

Welcome to Fashion Friday dear friends! As I child I would watch the classic holiday film White Christmas every year. I longed for a stunning turquoise gown, rhinestone gloves and even an enchantingly simple circle skirt. Last spring at an estate sale I spied three yards of a lovely vintage gray wool and decided it would work well for a White Christmas Judy Haynes Engagement Outfit.

White Christmas Judy Haynes Engagement Outfit

Let’s begin by clarifying:

• I am not Edith Head.
• I am not Vera-Ellen.

Edith Head is my absolute favorite costume designer. She worked with some of the biggest stars, such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, on some of the most classic films of all time. She still holds the record of eight Academy Awards for Costume Design.

Vera-Ellen was a popular musical actress during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. She appeared in such legendary musicals as On The Town and Three Little Words. She is known for her extraordinary dance routines.

Like perhaps many of you, I love all of the costumes in White Christmas. It’s hard to pick a favorite. It might be the green velvet cast party dress or the black velvet mermaid dress worn by Betty. Or maybe it is the eye-catching SISTERS dress.

Skirting The Issue

The chic circle skirt worn by Judy in the engagement scene also always caught my eye with its touches of red accessories.

For years I have kept my eyes open for an affordable black and white wool houndstooth fabric. Alas, it is a fashionable Holy Grail that has alluded me. When I found the three yards of vintage gray wool for $1 at an estate sale I decided to make due until that fabric finds me.

I began with a search for a circle skirt pattern that featured four panels. Months later, after not finding anything, I made my very first attempt at drafting a pattern. It began with a simple pencil on a string to create the perfect circle. Then a mock-up of the “skirt” was made on an old cotton sheet.

Per Murphy’s Law just a few days after making the final skirt I spied the perfect pattern, Simplicity 3813, on a vintage pattern site.

A Swell Sweater

If I thought the skirt was tough, the black sweater was tougher. The design is truly ingenious. It is an open jewel neckline plunging into a rounded “V”.

I purchased a black turtleneck sweater at the thrift store. My friend Dartanyan has amazing pattern drafting skills and came up with a design. It’s true that the first cut is the deepest.

After cutting out the design I then pinned vintage black cotton bias tape all around the cut edge and machine stitched it on. The remaining edge was tacked down by hand.

Red, She Said

The red, round-toed pumps were found on eBay for $11.

But a 2″ wide red belt illuded me.

As did a black and a red bangle bracelet.

A trip to an estate sale brought forth a plastic pink and a white bracelet as well as a leather western belt that had seen better days.

Two dollars made them all mine.

Then spray paint to the rescue!!!

Like most seamstresses, I have a healthy button collection. A bit of gold spray paint transformed them into the “studs” needed for both the belt and bracelets. I used Gorilla Glue to secure them.

Swing Your Partners

Now the last thing I needed was a crinoline (a stiff petticoat worn to make a skirt stand out). Another estate sale I attended was selling vintage square dancing dresses. A FREE gift with purchase was a matching tulle petticoat. The gal buying the dresses did not want the crinolines and I offered to gladly take them off her hands. I purchased Simplicity 8456 and made “View B” incorporating the vintage tulle into the final petticoat design. Simple muslin, used at the top, was leftover scraps from the lining of the natural form bodice I had recently made.

The pattern went together very well. Even a beginner could attempt it.

One change I did make was that I added buttons instead of a zipper. It’s just my personal preference.

The Historical Sew Fortnightly

The Historical Sew Fortnightly is a group that celebrates historical costuming. Each month there is a themed challenge. December’s theme is On a Shoestring. I’d say this costume creation more than fits the bill.

What the item is: Judy Haynes Engagement Scene Ensemble
How it fits the challenge: The entire outfit was less than $20.
Material: 3 yards of vintage wool found at an estate sale.
Pattern: Self-drafted.
Year: 1954
Notions: Cotton thread, hook and bar closures.
How historically accurate is it? I had to look up when spray paint was invented (1949). Since it was used as part of the transformation process for the belt and bracelets. So, YES! It’s historically accurate.
First worn: On Nov. 30 for a YouTube video announcing this year’s holiday theme for our home, White Christmas. But it will be worn all December long.
Total cost:

The white turtleneck, gold hoop earrings, spray paint, buttons and ivory muslin I had on hand. The tulle crinoline for the petticoat was gifted to me. If I had to purchase these items I could do it for under $10 via thrift stores, estate sales and using coupons.

• Red pumps: $11
• Black sweater: $3
• Petticoat pattern: $1.99
• Gray wool fabric: $1
• Western belt: $1
• Two bracelets: $1

Total: $19.00

I can’t imagine that the original costume was that inexpensive, even in 1954.

The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing

To fully appreciate a circle skirt you need to see it in action.

I recently have revived my YouTube channel and plan on creating some new fun content. You can subscribe HERE.

The Outtakes

A special “Thank you!” to my Phil Davis and our wonderful cameraman, Sweet Guy.

May your days be Merry and Bright!

Laura

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Our White Christmas Themed Home Tour

1954 Front Door Decor

Recreate The White Christmas Table Centerpiece