from McCalls, December 1960 issue

Remember party dresses?

If you're not a baby boomer or the mother of a baby boomer, probably not. What a shame! How glorious it was to don those special outfits for birthday celebrations, weddings, family gatherings, and church.

One began with a petticoat...

From Montgomery Wards 1962 Fall/Winter catalog. What I wouldn't give to have #12, the "Eight Ruffles" Bouffant Petticoat in pastel with pink!

Same catalog; these are for little girls.

These fabrics and colors of these dresses varied tremendously, but most of the ones from my own era had fitted bodices and full skirts.

 

This page (and the previous one) from the 1963 Sears Christmas catalog. Red velveteen! Swoon!

 

Spiegel, Spring & Summer 1963...  Love that Dacron!

Pretty little ballerina flats worn with lacy anklet socks or tights book care of the lower extremities. A hairband or bow, and perhaps even a pair of wrist-length cotton gloves and a matching purse completed the ensemble. Wonderful!

And it wasn't just little girls who wore these lovely, filmy dresses.
Here's a 1962 advertisement for Sears prom dresses, featured in the December issue of McCalls:

The model's wearing fabulous red pointed-toe high heels to match, though my scanner has cut those off, drat it!

 And while daughter dearest was dreaming romantic dreams at the "hop", here's what mom was wearing to the annual office party:

1962 Montgomery Ward catalog photo. See that goofy little tiara thing onthe head of the closest model? I've got one of those! Found it at a garage sale recently and put it in my granddaughter's dress-up box. It's made of flexible chenille stem/ pipe-cleaner stuff.

A couple of weeks ago I had the good fortune to find a beautiful example of one of these lovely vintage dresses in near-mint condition, and in just the right size for my year-old granddaughter My thanks to my wonderful daughter-in-law for sharing these photos!

The slip is made of taffeta, I believe. It can even be worn alone, it's so nicely made.

Here's the outfit with the flocked organdy (or organza?) lace dress over the slip. This treasure cost $3.00.

Now tell me you wouldn't rather see a little girl dressed up like this than in one of those ghastly Disney-character print dresses with a cheesy, wannabe "tutu" skirt attached to it?!  Blecchhh.

In my next post I'll show you examples from my vintage flocked fabrics stash.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the latest edition in my series of "Give Twice: Gifts with Heart" treasuries:

 

www.etsy.com/treasury/MTUzNDcxMDN8MjcyNjgwNjQyMg/give-twice-gifts-with-heart-8