For A Busy Life - What She Wore in 1955

McCall's Magazine had advice for the gal in 1955. "For a busy life at home or in the office, what looks freshest and takes the least care? The answer: summer suits and dresses of synthetic fibers, alone or combined with natural fibers."

Eleven Busiest Models of 1955

The April 1955 cover featured eleven of the most popular models of the day. How many can you name?

 

Happy, Happy Valentines Day!

You might think this is a portrait of me, but in fact it's the cover of Western Family magazine in 1955. 

They were nice enough to include a short bio of the artist, Buckley Mac-Gurrin. 

There is Enough Time to Knit Your Gifts!

Bear Brand - "hand knits for young America" offer "Sharp Skate Wear for Gay Young Blades!" and asks if you are "On The Trail of a Bright Ski Sweater?" 

Arts and Crafts for Christmas from 1955

Use paper rolls to make "Table Figures For Christmas"! 

Bad Fashion Choices in 1955

While many fashions of the mid-fifties are wonderful there were also things like this. "Serbin of Miami pairs corduroy shorts with an egyptian cotton blouse and cummerbund, for your "at home" hours. About $14, at leading stores." Purple corduroy shorts??? Oh,well.
(BTW the Serbin of Miami folks were really from Fayetteville, Tennessee. Figures.)

"There's nothing like a Singer - any Singer - to give a woman a real gift for sewing!" - 1955

"So modern, so advanced you'll have to see it - and try it - to believe how easy it can make even the fanciest stitching."
Is it too late to put this on my list?

Betsy McCall's Christmas Surprise - Free Paperdolls! - 1955 McCall's Magazine

This set of Betsy McCall includes her cousins Linda and Sandy. If you click twice you can enlarge them and keep an kid busy while you try to get something done.
(Personally I think Betsy's surprise might have been Sandy wearing leopard print undies!)

Christmas Lingerie In Pink, Blue and Newest Beige - 1955 McCall's Magazine

Wow. Here's what you really want from Santa!

Paris Fashion - 1955 Spring Lines on Street Corners - Givenchy and Dior

"Spring Lines on Street Corners" from Realities Magazine May 1955
"Four out-of-doors ensembles from the current collections"
Photographs by Sante Forlano

"No 1332," an ensemble by Givenchy with a new formula: a three-quarter coat, sleeveless and boat-necked, in a warm beige tweed, worn over a wool jersey suit in the same shade. The silk umbrella is by Vedrenne.

"Anglomanie:" two pieces that look like three are something to sing about, A long-torsoed dress by Dior in black and white Glen plaid becomes an almost classic suit when its jacket is buttoned up. New points: the longer back of the jacket over the pleated skirt. Worn with a yellow straw beret.

"No 4298:" a wide stand-away collar with its triple-fold bow is the headline news of this natural Glen plaid suit by Givenchy. The collarless three-quarter coat in a darker beige fleece is straight and simple. the cap matches the suit. Her leather bag is by Hermes.

"The A Dress," a pearl for the oyster: a dark gray flannel suit by Dior. The long double-breasted jacket, slit on the side, pyramids over a wide-pleated skirt held out by a petticoat. Hat in white felt.
(Photograph taken in front of Marius restaurant, 9, rue de Bourgogne, Paris)

Arts and Craft Education - 1955 - Hanging Masks!

Got any snowbound kids who need a project? These are fun!
(Click Twice to Enlarge)

Arts and Craft Education - 1955 - Fold and Cut Your Christmas Decorations - Paper Chains!

This look so very fancy, but also very do-able. Have fun!

Arts and Craft Education - 1955 - Make a Nativity Scene

Here's a project that comes to us from a small 1955 magazine "Arts & Craft Education" With this how-to article by Geoffrey Tucker. If you click on the images twice you can print these out and create a memory.

MAKING A CHRISTMAS CRIB
This Christmas group is in the simplest form of the series " Postcard Handwork ". Even the very young will find little difficulty in making the figures stand up, the older child will find more interest in making the Baby's crib and the manger. The directions for this are on page 6.

The photograph here shows the setting made from the actual drawings on the following page, cut out and pasted on to thin card. It will be more interesting for the children to trace off these figures on to postcards so that they can enjoy the added task of colouring them, remembering that the Three Kings would certainly wear the richest possible colours while Joseph, a poor man, will be in faded dra ~colours as contrast. Mary would most certainly be in a blue mantle, the rest the childrei can imagine to their hearts' delight. If a reproduction of a painting of the scene by an Old Master can be found so much the better.

If the grouping is to be in a stage effect made from a box many more angels could be made with some (still slightly curved) suspended by cotton from the top to float, these will not need the stands attached. More shepherds could be added by tracing off the main shapes of the Kings and dressing them differently and instead of their costly gifts, carrying a staff or young lamb as offering. In fact, the older children will enjoy inventing their own characters and grouping after using the following drawings as a basic idea.