1957 Vintage Vogue Evening Dress

Year: June 2015
Pattern: Vintage Vogue 1172
Materials: Navy romance delustered satin
Event: 1950's Pop-up Bar at Rippon-Lea - "The Dressmaker" movie costume exhibit

I made the petticoat from organdie, hemmed with satin ribbon. See blog post.

A tea-length navy dress with a white satin belt and crystal buckle. This dress was paired with long white satin gloves (purchased) and a reversible 3-paneled navy/white shawl made from the same fabric as the dress. The shawl was inspired by a 1955 evening ensemble designed by Hall Ludlow (pictured below).

 

The inspiration for my outfit. From the "200 Years of Australian Fashion" exhibit at the NGV.
Designed by Hall Ludlow, 1955. 

The info plaque.

With Tanmei Costumery at "The Dressmaker" exhibit with the red dress worn by Kate Winslet's character. Tanmei and I used the same pattern for our dresses.

I followed the Vogue pattern to the letter. It contains godets cut on the bias which made hemming fun (not), a waist tape and lingerie straps on the shoulders. If I were to make the pattern again, I would use a full bodice lining rather than the facing as specified. I found the facing didn't sit right and puckered in certain areas.

The shoulders of the dress sit wide and the lingerie straps help hold your bra straps in place. I was worried about my bra straps eventually slipping off the shoulders and found the bodice was too restrictive when I tried to readjust them.