Shirtwaist's on Parade

The Lady Loved Shirtwaist Dresses......and so do I. So I picked all of these out of her 1960's closet.






And all of these can be found this week on cemetarian on eBay

Viva La 1960's

The 1960's saw more radical change in fashion than any other decade. From the structured, waist cinching 50's the emphasis in the early 60's was on a straighter line that was both slimming and elongating. These examples from 1963 show that both silhouette's were popular and women could choose the most flattering style for their body type, and not be forced into a particular mold.


In 1964, as shown below, the emphasis was still on 2 piece dresses, but with the straightend waist line.



1965, has more dresses and ensembles but even the sweaters are longer and do not emphasize the waist. Skirts are straight or pleated and pants are still skinny.

1966 starts to soften a bit with more flare to the hemline by way of A line skirts and coats. Luxurious trims in fur and fringe soften the lines also.



By 1967, dresses and coats are so simple with little structural detail. But interest and curves were created with color and pattern. Lots of color and lots of texture.


1968 become a bit more subdued, earthier colors and a back to nature trend is brought on in part by the folk loving hippie movement. Even the styles for mature women reflect a more Natural look.


In 1969, color and optics once again pop up while maintaining the natural look and feel in clothing. OP Art paired with Folk Art creates some stunning fashions.


All images are from Knitting and Crochet patterns books from the years sited. All can be found at Needlecraft on cemetarian.com

A Day in the Life of a Mad Men Era Teen - Friday

Dear Diary, It's midnight and the one time Mama and Daddy let me stay out past my 10:00 curfew. After the Football game they let me go with Bobby and Linda and Billy to the Victory Dance and I'm glad our team won so I didn't waste dressing up in my new gingham dress with the big round collar. Bobby got mad when he found out I like the new Crystals song He's a Rebel
hehehe, if only he knew why I like that song so much.

A Day in the Life of a Mad Men Era Teen - Thursday

Dear Diary, I forgot that we were having a Sock Hop in the Gym after school today. Thank goodness I was wearing my pleated dress and my loafers. And of course they played the new Marcie Blane song Bobby's Girl which Bobby asked me to dance to. He's so dreamy.

A Day in the Life of a Mad Men Era Teen - Wednesday

Dear Diary, not much happened at school today just the same ole things. But I rushed home to get my homework done cause it's Weds night and Bobby just might come by to take me to get a Coke. I've got my hair brushed and it's not too bad, not quite as good as it was Monday. I sure wish Mama would let me wash it more than once a week. But she won't so I just do what I can with it and hope for the best. After I got my chores and homework done, I put on the pants, blouse and little cropped top that's part of the new outfit that Mama had made for me to start school in. This is about the only time I get to wear pants ......... hehehe.....if Bobby comes by he'll "catch me in my slacks" and Mama won't make me change clothes. She'll just let me go. Daddy will frown, but he'll get over it. I sure do like wearing pants instead of skirts and those icky stockings.

A Day in the Life of a Mad Men Era Teen - Tuesday

Dear Diary, After school today was Horizon Club and we had fun. Since our group has moved up and become the Elders, we are trying to teach the younger Camp Fire Girls some of the things they have to look forward to at camp next summer. Linda and I swapped sweaters this afternoon. Her pink one goes better with my new grey and white dress with the dickey and my grey sweater looks better with that pretty pink shirtwaist her Mom made last spring.

Once again, I'm just Mad about Mad Men

It's September and Mad Men has started once again. And once again, I drool over the clothes and sit and remember the era.

The show has become so iconic that the term Mad Men is now a recognized keyword in searches. So I have added it to those era appropriate items over on cemetarian

All you have to do is enter Mad Men in any of the search boxes and it will bring up everything tagged for that era. I might have missed a few things especially patterns so just browse the 60's categories and you should find exactly waht you're looking for.

Here's a small sampling of some of the Mad Men items up for grabs right now. More to come.

Holiday Time is HERE!!!!

And cemetarian at eBay has 4 luscious Holiday Party Outfits ready to go.

From the 60's and 70's...........choose OOAK Homemade or Designer Labeled or somewhere in between.

This green sequin beauty was lovingly homemade and is truly exquisite and the Black Cocktail Party dress has had the label removed but it appears to have been a Quality Garment. Organdy over dress with Maribou trim.



This heavy beaded beauty was Made in Hong Kong and has all the aspects you would except. Solid sequin top with more than 300 prong set rhinestones and thousands of orange and white and amber colored beads. The wool Hig Hugger Palazzo Pants have 130 inch leg hems, are permenately pleated and have a 4 inch beaded band around the waist.



Last but NOT least..............this gorgeous evening dress has a empire waist in front and a dipped waist in back with pleats across the bust and a demi Watteau pleat. From Alfred Bosand (designer for Miss America in 1963). STUNNING!

How to Catch a MAN!!! 1960 Style

Of course they didn't tell us what to do with him once he was caught...but that information really wasn't suitable for publication in 1960. Actually the article is entitled "How to be Popular" But the answer to that wasn't suitable for publication either so they just beat around the bush, and taught us girls to tease a lot.



Lots of pretty dresses with full or very slim skirts were designed to catch a man's eye............after all no self respecting woman was worth her salt, if she didn't have a man to take care of poor little ole her. So to get that perfect hour glass figure it was recommended that you
"dream" your way into the proper foundations.


LOL............this was written with my tongue in my cheek because I bought the whole package in 1960 and parts of me still does...........which could be why I'm still married after 36 years. Or I could just be lucky.

But if you want to read it for fun or to really see how the distaff side lived in the Mid Century this charming Ladies Home Journal is listed on ecrater at cemetarian.

Evolution of Women's Career Suits

With more women entering the work force during World War II, the clerical jobs formerly occupied by men were filled with women. Trying to maintain some status and not look frivolous in the serious world of commerce and industry, women adopted a Masculine Look with Wide padded shoulders and complete covering from neck to below the knee. But you will notice that they did manage to keep a semblance of femininity with a very fitted waistline and peplum jackets that emphasized their hips.

This lovely Gabardine suit, found on Babylon Mall, is completely dart fitted in front and back and the peplum jacket flares nicely over a pencil slim skirt.

Vintage 1940's Sexy Fitted Navy Blue Gabardine Suit Sm

After Johnny Came Marching Home, women we reluctant to give up their new found status in the professional world and some managed to keep their jobs and opened new employment opportunities for young women who wanted a career instead of a life of domestic bliss (notice that both was seldom an option at this time.)

The 50's ushered in a similar but softening look in career wear. These three suits have a less structured feel although in the first shoulder pads are still prominent but smaller. The waist is softened with velvet trim on the jacket and a velvet pocket. The Pumpkin Spice flecked suit is boxy over a still slim skirt. But the fabric flows and shows all those feminine curves within the box. And the 3rd in this series is Femininity Personified. Fitted waist, small peplum that is enhanced with ruched trim and a full flared skirt and don't forget the lower V neckline.

Vintage 1950's Black Rayon Crepe Suit with Asymmetrical Trim & Pocket
Vintage 1950s Pumpkin Spice Sexy Secretary 2pc

Vintage 1950's Black Faille Fitted Peplum Flare Skirt Suit

The 60's brought us a very new look with the influence of Jackie Kennedy. Her taste and particular figure requirements brought us the A line skirt and short boxy yet softer jackets. Less emphasis on the waistline and more emphasis on the Total LOOK!

These three beauties are all distinctly tailored for that Classic Chic Jackie Style.

The first is a pink brocade with glittery buttons. The 2nd is a blue shantung with heavily beaded collar and the last is a heavy slubbed silk in pink with cranberry trim and a ruffled cranberry collar.

Vintage 1960's Pink Silk Brocade 3pc Set B38 Neiman Marcus

Vintage 1960's Blue Silk Beaded 3 pc Chic Jackie Set B40 NOS

Vintage 1960's Pink Slubbed Silk with 3 pc Suit B38 (not listed yet)

Just prior to the British Invasion and the MOD era, swingy pleated skirts and lowered waistlines were not only casual and comfy but practical and just plain fun to wear. This fab suit from Donavan Galvani is a cranberry and wine combo. The skirt is pleated and the jacket is semi fitted in the waist with a belt. Shawl collar and ribbed sleeves finish off the look.

Vintage 1960s Donovan Galvani Berry Tweed Knit

Mad About Mad Men

I am so delighted to see a program that celebrates this often over looked era because I LOVE the early 60's Fashions. That's probably because I became really fashion conscious in 1960 when I entered Junior High School.

This beauty is something I would have worn to a 8th grade dance in 1961. As a matter of fact I wore something almost identical. It has a taffeta under dress and floral organdy overdress with those really special puffy sleeves and of course we still worn BIG petticoats that year. Pink kitten heel shoes helped me dance the night away with that Special boy I met that night.

While I was strutting my stuff in the floral beauty above, my lovely Hazel eyed Mom would be wearing this gorgeous cocktail dress of steely blue taffeta, (just the color of my Daddy's eyes) covered with lace and a crepe wiggle skirt below. Matching Peau de Soie spike heels pumps would have set it off perfectly.

Since my Mom was a bit more conservative than her best friend, Brownie, this gorgeous Gold and yellow confection would have been Brownie's choice for the party. With her lovely brunette hair and tawny brown eyes she would have been the hit of the party. But then she usually was the hit of the party, no matter what she wore.

And then there was the Subtle but Sexy Billie. Billie always knew how to dress just right. Sheer organdy over a full taffeta slip. Wide neck but not too daring. No fat petticoats for the understated Blonde. She would have every head turning to watch her pass in this Gay Gibson.

For some real Eye Candy...Flip through the Mad Men Scrapbook

Feelin' Groovy

Attitudes was such a smash hit, but the one criticism was there was no information about the brand or the numbers. I did that on purpose because I thought it was Purty! But a valid point was made that if someone really likes a pattern they should be able to find it. So, this time I left the pattern fronts as they are. It's not quite as clean and perfect, but I think it turned out nicely.

So for your viewing pleasure.........here are icon patterns from the mid 60's to the mid 70's.................to the tune of Simon and Garfunkle's 59th Street Bridge Song...........otherwise known as Feelin' Groovy