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Monday 16 April 2012

The bustle effect- a somewhat forgotten fashion

Most people think late 19th century when you say bustle, but the fashion of fullness around the rear was popular in the late 18th century as well. When World War II ended and the restrictions on fabrics began to lift, the possibility of adding surplus fabric to fashion designs came back. Culminating in 1947 an emphasis on the back, sometimes just draped fabric, sometimes even a small bustle under the skirt, was part of the fashion silhouette. It’s often labeled under The New Look, but it seems to have been at its most popular just before The New look hit the world, even if it remained popular during it as well. I rarely, if ever, see it around vintage blogs; it is a fashion that seems to have drowned among the pencil skirts and wide skirts of The New Look.

Not quite a bustle, but the drapery put attention of the behind, The Chase, 1946.



I think it’s a rather flattering look.


Day dress in cotton by Hardy Amies, 1947.


Another 1947 day dress.

Striped silk dress by Victor Steibel, 1947.


The same dress- I love when you get a glimpse on how it looked when worn!


Evening gown by Charles James, 1947.


A Janzen bathing suit, 1947.


Sandra Mornay in a day dress with a draped bustle effect in Abbott and Costello meets Frankenstein, 1947.


Black rayon crepe dress, late 1940's.


Evening gown by Fath, 1948.


Day dress, 1948


Dior, 1949.


You can find a pattern for a skirt with a bustle effect at Eva Dress



And a suit from 1950 at Vogue

kl.

5 comments:

  1. snippa16 April 2012 at 08:27

    Fabulous photographs as always - thanks for the pattern link, I love those skirts.

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  2. Rowenna16 April 2012 at 08:34

    So true! Most of my favorite fashion eras have back draping--late 18th century, 19th century, and the post WWII period before New Look really took over. Love a little extra on the caboose :)

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  3. KittyMeow16 April 2012 at 14:37

    I too have noticed and love this aspect of 40's fashion. They're my favourite style of dress! I also love the ones with the draping at the hip :-)

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  4. Anonymous17 April 2012 at 15:51

    Love the drama of these silhouettes! I should try my hand at a slightly more daytime-appropriate take on it, it's gorgeous.

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  5. Isis20 April 2012 at 10:45

    Snippa: You are most welcome! :)

    Rowenna: I find it flattering too. And being rather flat in those areas, I can need some extra ooomph!

    KittyMeow: I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed! I like hip-drapings too.

    pimpinett: I have been thinking of doing that too. :)

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