Black Cocktail Dress, 1950s

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Date:1950 - 1959 (c.)

Description:This 1950s black cocktail dress would have been all the rage in its day.
Fuller skirts became popular in the 1950s because of the end of rationing.
Women wanted less utilitarian fashion and Christian Dior provided the 'New Look' which were feminine designs and had full skirts using lots of material. This look was copied around the world.
Fabric was rationed due to the Second World War until 1949 women were restricted to 'utility' clothes and making do and mending old clothes. Utility clothes were cut to tested patterns so that as little fabric as possible was used and not much waste was produced.
The skirt of this dress is made of Rayon, and is pleated to add fullness and would have been worn with a silk hoop petticoat.


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Donor ref:Tx 524 (22/27606)

Source: Brampton Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle under Lyme

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