50s Vintage Day Dress Shirtwaist Blue Gingham Check Big Buttons R & K Originals VFG S/M
What a great day dress, dating to the mid 1950s - so many wonderful details! The bodice features an oversized fly-out collar - it has thin shoulder pads and the back is lined to allow for ease and a bit of blousing at the waist. Short sleeves extend nearly to the elbow - I have folded them in a few of the photos. The skirt is fairly narrow, but has a kickpleat for ease in the back. The huge see-through buttons add an additional touch of whimsical charm to the classic shirtwaist look.
SIZE: No size label
| Measurements | Inches |
Cm |
| Bust |
40" |
101.5 |
| Waist |
26" |
66 |
| Hips |
39" |
99 |
| Bodice length from back of neck | 16.75" |
42.5 |
| Skirt length |
27.75" |
70.5 |
| Sweep |
42" |
106.5 |
FABRIC/COLORS: Woven (not printed) small-scale gingham in marine blue and white. Based on fiber burn test, mostly cotton with some synthetic blended in.
TAGS: R & K Originals, For the Girl Who Knows Clothes. There is a union label in the skirt for ILGWU/AFL-CIO that was used between 1955 and 1963.
CLOSURES: The dress closes with four very large clear blue plastic buttons in front, extending from the bodice down into a 12" placket below the waist. There is a hook & eye at the waist for added security. Buttonholes are bound, a quality detail. The dress is shown in some photos with a white belt from my closet - it is not included with purchase.
CONDITION: No stains, holes, or tears. I see no signs of this dress ever having been worn.
I measure the outside of garments, unless stated otherwise.
For menswear, the chest is measured at armpit level.
For womenswear, the bust is measured a little below armpit level, including the room created by darts or gathers.
Waist will be measured if there is one, and hips are measured about 9" below waist level. Sleeves are measured from shoulder seam or an approximation in the absence of a shoulder seam. Garment length is measured from the back of the neck, unless otherwise stated.
The measurement numbers refer to the garment, not the body inside. For best fit, measure a similar type of garment which fits you well and compare.
If the garment is shown on Josephine, my mannequin, her measurements are 31/24.5/34". Sometimes she wears a padded bra. My live models measurements vary depending on the day and year, and I don't ask them to share that.