Custom Scarfs - 1947 Cover Girl Fashions

These beauties were from Custom Scarfs Inc. in New York (215 West 40th Street if that means anything to anybody). They were also known as Wesley Simpson Custom Scarves. He was very a very influential designer of textiles, and was married to Adele Simpson. He commissioned famous artists and designers of the day for his scarves and other printed fabrics.

In searching this company I found that Linus Pauling bought 2 scarves and one stole (he wrote a check). And there is another ad here from the Miami News.

I wish we could see these clearer, or better yet, see them in person. It wouldn't it be great to match the scarfs with the designers? Any guesses?

Build Your Own Best Silhouette 1956 Underwear!

"The way your dress fits depends on the foundation you wear and different types of clothes require different styles of underpinning. The all-in-one, for instance, gives the unbroken line you need under sheaths; a lightweight girdle and bra may he enough for fuller dresses. When you buy a dress, fit it over the right foundation, wear it that way for your best silhouette."

"The slim sheath - most important fashion of the year. This one, by Luis Estivez for Grenelle, has an intricate strapped neckline, is evening dress or sun dress, depending on its fabric. Perfection under it, a strapless long-line Warner corselette with waistline less indented than it would have been last year. And a nylon tricot sheath petticoat from Gracette.

The wide skirt-seen this year mostly in after-five dresses. Under this geranium-printed silk by Anne Klein for Junior Sophisticates, You wear one of the new petticoats that have body without stiffness, in nylon marquisette and lace, from Gracette; scalloped three-way bra, worn strapless, and two-way stretch panties, both from Gossard, are all the support needed."

"Middle-of-the-road fashion - the slender dress with moderately full skirt, in lightweight worsted, smart for a woman of any age. Leonard Arkin. Comfortable for anyone but especially useful to the woman whose flesh is beginning to soften, this all-in-one from Flexees, made of one-way-stretch leno elastic, with elastic satin panels at front, back and side for special hip control. The nylon tricot slip is cut on modified princess lines. Van Raalte."

"The high waistline-an incoming fashion, shown here in Adele Simpson's high-rising skirt with matching bolero and tiny blouse. This costume's long lines are good for the short-waisted young figure; underneath, it needs a light girdle like like one above with crisscross elastic sections to firm the hip, an embroidered bra, both from Peter Pan. Sleek, slit nylon tricot petticoat from Trillium."

Woman's Home Companion - 1956 Suits for an Easter Parade

"It's news to wear shades of one color" These are clearly not the wasp-waist look we think of with the fifties...but here in 1956, we can see the sixties coming around the corner.

All pale beige, contrast of textures-a color scheme right for most women. This version is a leather skirt, a leather and tweed jacket-- you can clean the leather with warm water, soap and a damp cloth. Bonnie Cashin for Milton Sills. Strap pump from Deb, bag from Coronet.

Mixture of neutrals-a color scheme that's every woman's fashion. The gray-beige silk suit with high-bloused back, by Montesano & Pruzan, is accented by warm brown-beige in a hat by Amy, a strap pump from Marshall, Meadows & Stewart.

Yellow-most popular high-key color, here used in varying degrees of intensity. Suit in white and yellow tweed mixture from Jablow. Lizard bag from Lucille de Paris, Monet jewelry, tie pump from Bally, bulky hat by Adolfo for Emme..

All-red for the adventurous-dramatic color co-ordination for the woman who can carry it. The coat has a skirt to match; Bardley. Matching shoe from Valentines, is cork-textured leather --smartest material of the year for red shoes. Harmonizing tones in Walter Florell's hat, the alligator bag.

Blues are becoming, turquoise is lovely with gray hair. Shantung suit with polka-dot scarf by Adele Simpson; a straw hat by Sally Victor: linen pumps from Bonwit Teller dyed a deeper shade of turquoise than the suit- a new style note.