1950s Darcie Party Dress - Peacock Taffeta
The 1950s did glamour REALLY well... and since the everyday wearer was already glam, the step up to eveningwear demanded even more effort and was certainly impressive. Sumptous fabrics of taffeta & satin, rich jewel colours, tonnes of skirt and cinched waists - this was when the party dress came into it's own!
Meet our new 'Darcie' dress, produced initially in rich Peacock/teal blue taffeta and fully lined for a beautiful luxe finish.
Inspired by an original, this dress flatters all figures and will become your favourite new frock. Comfy, yet super glam and with some gorgeous vintage features.
Let's talk about the bodice, because this is a 'super clever' piece of pattern cutting. Elegant wide sweetheart neckline is created by the wrap over style which caresses the body with flattering diagonal folds of taffeta. Weve added som shirred panels into the side which provide adjustment to fit.
Sleeves are half length, covering the upper arm only and grow into the upper bodice with shaping via darts into the shoulder. Bra anchors have been added - these are small straps sewn under the shoulder that keep the bra straps in place and hidden from view.
A full sweeping circular skirt finishes off the silhouette and you can add a full and frothy petticoat for a even fuller look.
This really is the perfect dress for parties - winter or summer... Bridesmaids, anniversaries or date night. Go 'full on' glam by adding as much bling as you wish, satin gloves and your favourite sparkling heels. Or dress demure with with subtle accessories. Our recommendation? A Tiara would not be out of place here!
The Taffeta fabric is a crisp, lightweight woven fabric with a smooth sheen and a soft rustle, and it holds the shape of a full skirt.
Key details:
- Ruched bodice - wrap over style
- Full circle skirt
- Elbow length sleeves
- Wide Sweetheart neckline
- Bra anchors
- Back zip
- side shirring panels
Made with love in Yorkshire, England.
Fabric: Taffeta synthetic - Lining: Acetate
Length from natural waist: approximately 27 inches
Love the full circle skirt? See our 1950s Grace Dress in sapphire floral devoré
FAQ
What makes this a 1950s dress?
The silhouette is typical of the decade: a fitted, cinched waist with a full circle skirt, a wrap-over bodice and a wide sweetheart neckline. It is based on an original vintage dress and made in taffeta, a fabric closely tied to 1950s party and eveningwear.
What is the “New Look” silhouette?
It’s the cinched waist and full skirt launched by Christian Dior in 1947 that defined 1950s dressing. The Darcie follows that shape, with a fitted waist over a full circle skirt.
Why taffeta and jewel colours?
Taffeta and satin in rich jewel colours were the fabrics of 1950s eveningwear, because the crisp cloth holds the shape of a full skirt. Peacock teal is a jewel shade in that tradition.
Should I wear a petticoat?
Yes, if you want more fullness. The skirt is left unlined so you can add one. A stiffened petticoat gives the classic 1950s shape.
What is a wrap-over bodice?
A bodice with one front panel crossing over the other, which creates the wide sweetheart neckline with diagonal folds of taffeta. The side panels are shirred so the fit can be adjusted.
What are bra anchors?
Small straps sewn under the shoulder that keep your bra straps hidden and in place under the wide neckline.
Love this Era? Read more in our 1950s Style Guide
The 1950s did glamour REALLY well... and since the everyday wearer was already glam, the step up to eveningwear demanded even more effort and was certainly impressive. Sumptous fabrics of taffeta & satin, rich jewel colours, tonnes of skirt and cinched waists - this was when the party dress came into it's own!
Meet our new 'Darcie' dress, produced initially in rich Peacock/teal blue taffeta and fully lined for a beautiful luxe finish.
Inspired by an original, this dress flatters all figures and will become your favourite new frock. Comfy, yet super glam and with some gorgeous vintage features.
Let's talk about the bodice, because this is a 'super clever' piece of pattern cutting. Elegant wide sweetheart neckline is created by the wrap over style which caresses the body with flattering diagonal folds of taffeta. Weve added som shirred panels into the side which provide adjustment to fit.
Sleeves are half length, covering the upper arm only and grow into the upper bodice with shaping via darts into the shoulder. Bra anchors have been added - these are small straps sewn under the shoulder that keep the bra straps in place and hidden from view.
A full sweeping circular skirt finishes off the silhouette and you can add a full and frothy petticoat for a even fuller look.
This really is the perfect dress for parties - winter or summer... Bridesmaids, anniversaries or date night. Go 'full on' glam by adding as much bling as you wish, satin gloves and your favourite sparkling heels. Or dress demure with with subtle accessories. Our recommendation? A Tiara would not be out of place here!
The Taffeta fabric is a crisp, lightweight woven fabric with a smooth sheen and a soft rustle, and it holds the shape of a full skirt.
Key details:
- Ruched bodice - wrap over style
- Full circle skirt
- Elbow length sleeves
- Wide Sweetheart neckline
- Bra anchors
- Back zip
- side shirring panels
Made with love in Yorkshire, England.
Fabric: Taffeta synthetic - Lining: Acetate
Length from natural waist: approximately 27 inches
Love the full circle skirt? See our 1950s Grace Dress in sapphire floral devoré
FAQ
What makes this a 1950s dress?
The silhouette is typical of the decade: a fitted, cinched waist with a full circle skirt, a wrap-over bodice and a wide sweetheart neckline. It is based on an original vintage dress and made in taffeta, a fabric closely tied to 1950s party and eveningwear.
What is the “New Look” silhouette?
It’s the cinched waist and full skirt launched by Christian Dior in 1947 that defined 1950s dressing. The Darcie follows that shape, with a fitted waist over a full circle skirt.
Why taffeta and jewel colours?
Taffeta and satin in rich jewel colours were the fabrics of 1950s eveningwear, because the crisp cloth holds the shape of a full skirt. Peacock teal is a jewel shade in that tradition.
Should I wear a petticoat?
Yes, if you want more fullness. The skirt is left unlined so you can add one. A stiffened petticoat gives the classic 1950s shape.
What is a wrap-over bodice?
A bodice with one front panel crossing over the other, which creates the wide sweetheart neckline with diagonal folds of taffeta. The side panels are shirred so the fit can be adjusted.
What are bra anchors?
Small straps sewn under the shoulder that keep your bra straps hidden and in place under the wide neckline.
Love this Era? Read more in our 1950s Style Guide
| SIZE | BUST | WAIST | HIPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6* | 79cm 31" |
61cm 24" |
84cm 33" |
| 8 | 84cm 33" |
66cm 26" |
89cm 35" |
| 10 | 89cm 35" |
71cm 28" |
94cm 37" |
| 12 | 94cm 37" |
76cm 30" |
99cm 39" |
| 14 | 99cm 39" |
81cm 32" |
104cm 41" |
| 16 | 104cm 41" |
86.5cm 34" |
110cm 43" |
| 18 | 110cm 43" |
91.5cm 36" |
116cm 45.5" |
| 20* | to 117cm to 46" |
to 97cm to 39" |
123cm 48" |
| 22* | to 124cm to 49" |
to 104cm to 42.5" |
130cm 51" |
| 24* | to 131cm to 51.5" |
to 110cm to 44" |
137cm 54" |
| 26* | to 138cm to 54" |
to 117cm to 46" |
144cm 57" |
Delivery
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A little note on duties: any applicable import taxes are calculated and added at checkout. We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means we take care of everything on your behalf — your parcel passes straight through customs and arrives at your door with nothing more to do.
A little note on duties: any applicable import duties are calculated and added at checkout. We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means we take care of everything on your behalf — your parcel passes straight through customs and arrives at your door with nothing more to do.
A little note on duties: import duties or taxes may be applied by your country's customs authority when your order arrives. We'd recommend checking your local customs guidelines before ordering if you're unsure — we'd hate for any surprises to take the shine off your new piece.
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