The Perfect Shirtwaist Dress for Summer? Vogue 8013 I was paging through my notebooks of vintage pat

The Perfect Shirtwaist Dress for Summer? Vogue 8013 I was paging through my notebooks of vintage patterns, pondering what to make now that we have hints of spring weather where I live. I spotted this one, and began noting all of its design advantages. I came to the conclusion it might be the perfect spring or summer shirtwaist dress. It has short sleeves which are easier to wear than sleeveless, and raglan sleeves which are easier construction than set-in sleeves. Short cuffs look sporty, another plus for a summer dress, and they broaden the upper torso and balance out the silhouette of the typical bottom-heavy hourglass figure. The collar is simple yet tall enough in the back to guard the neck from the sun. The collar and high v-neckline draws attention up towards the face. Notice the dress buttons in the front, but not all the way down. This means you step into it and instead of pulling it on over your head and messing up your hair. You also avoid all that flapping open that can be so annoying with a dress that buttons down to the hemline when a strong wind catches it. The skirt is softly pleated and flared, so it is both easy to wear and will catch the summer breeze and keep you cool. All in all, what’s not to like? Interestingly, they recommended shoulder pads in 1953. This seems a possible hold over from the big-shouldered look of the 1940s, while the marked waist and longer, flared skirt marked the New Look launched by Christian Dior launched in 1947. The fabrics recommended could shift it from a day dress to something more formal. They range from the cottons broadcloth and gingham you expect to silk shantung and surah (a twill), lightweight woolen or even wool crepe. The crepe would create a silhouette far closer to the body than the crispy cottons or silks. -- source link

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