Well, another dress down and a new one already
lined up! I'll of course take some photos for you all this weekend, but in the meantime
I'm making plans to use this modern pattern to make a deep red drop waist dress with white buttons and bias binding
In my research for an inspiration image I came
across a reoccurring trend of 60's drop waist dresses, so let us delve a little
deeper shall we?
Drop waist dresses first became popular in the
20's - with the dismissal of the corset and the feminine Belle Époque look
gone, women were able to adapt more masculine styles. The long and lean look
became the new ideal and dresses started to feature a low waist line to
accentuate the body, making it appear slimmer without the use of constrictive
undergarments.
By the mid 1960's the style became popular again.
The free movement the drop waist dress gives allows for lots of dancing,
running and jumping - perfect for the new freedom of women in both eras!
60's styles tended to fit a little more closely to the body giving a sporty look whereas the 20s style was loose and feminine
Mary Quant also featured the style in a number of her collections
Drop waist dresses then went into remission until
the 80s when it was spotted on the likes of Princess Diana, but in the 80s it
was more about volume – adding more shape to the body to create masculine strength
instead of slenderness
The main part of the dress is usually straight,
decorated with beading or pin tucks. Below the line the skirt can remain
straight, be pleated, split or soft and uneven - all perfect for flapping
around while dancing the Charleston!
Newer interpretations have the bottom half splayed
out, or reach down to the ground for Formal and Wedding dresses.
With the general populations recent fascination
with all things Great Gatsby, a lot more high street stores are featuring the
lower waistline in soft jersey and cotton
Prada designed an entire collection around the drop waist in 2011
This dress is similar to the top pattern, don't you think?
You can create a drop waist the normal way by sewing two pieces
of fabric together or you can create the illusion of a drop waist by adding a strip
of fabric at the hip line – automatically extending the bodice
Some can even be curved
You can also very easily create a false drop waist with a tied sash
Here are a few patterns which show the 60s drop waist. Most of them feature a simple skirt half. The instructions on the last pattern suggest adding horsehair braiding to create an even more impressive flare.
(Horsehair braiding was also used in 50s haute couture to give the volume in those big New Look skirts)
The style was used quite a bit in catalogue and magazine photography, indicating the use in both high fashion and everyday wear
Whats your opinion on the drop waist? Do you prefer one decades interpretations over the other?
Cat xo
Definitely to Sixties version for me, I love the Quant ones and have several of those patterns (although I'm a bit too scared to attempt them, they look involved!)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your version. x
oh! I agree the Quant patterns look tricky, but I guess you can have a go with some scrap fabric first?
DeleteI feel like there was another name for the drop waisted dress.... in the 60's. My mom loved that style; I was in high school and she called the style something?? Does anyone know another name from the past for the drop waisted styled dress?
DeleteI definitely prefer the 60s ones, I've got a few drop waist dresses and I think I have some patterns too but I've yet to make one. I'm looking forward to seeing your version x
ReplyDeletethanks! hopefully it goes well if you make one!
DeleteI prefer the 60s one too , even this shape really doesn't fit me .
ReplyDeletetrue - i think the 80s one really made it look worse than it was!
DeleteGreat post Catherine, I really enjoyed this one. I love them in the 60s the most. Though I do have a love for 20s fashion, and it was noticing that the 60s had taken the drop waist from this time that I came to love it. That picture of Chrissie Shrimpton is beautiful, and I can't wait to see the dress that you make. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucy! the 1920's ones are really pretty and I think have the nicest detailing.
DeleteThis photo shoot with Chrissie, Linda Keith, Suki Poitier and and Annie Sabroux is one of my favourite shoots.
Definitely the 60s! Although I'm not the biggest fan of drop waist (I think my legs look really small when wearing drop waist) there is no doubt that it was used in the 60s fashion in the best possible way! Can't wait to see your dress! xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree! 80's versions were icky. I found on a few websites that I was reading that a lot of people didn't think they suited drop-waists and I couldn't think why. but I understand now. I wonder if its the illusion of the longer torso?
DeleteI enjoy drop waist on others, but for me, not so much, I feel like I'm too busty to pull it off. I can't wait to see your dress!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, thanks for dropping by my blog. I saw your post yesterday right after I had posted on my blog about my drop waist dress and was so excited to see all your fab pics! I tried to comment, but blogger would not let me. I could not comment on any blogger blogs yesterday. We'll see what happens today!! (update: nope, still won't let me post using My open Wordpress ID, I'm trying with another option now). It's funny because I had really forgotten about the drop waist dress also being popular in the 60s since it is so ingrained that it is from the 20s. But, you have some really nice versions here. I love the Burda pattern you chose and think I might get a copy for myself. Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteOh how strange! i wonder if anyone else had that problem here. ill check my comment settings too.
DeleteI love the 20's drop waists their so pretty and elegant but the 60s version can be worn during the day which i like also!
Yay, it let me comment using NAME and URL. There's something wrong with Open ID on blogger, other folks are telling me the same thing, just FYI.
ReplyDeleteim might edit my disclaimer to mention using name and url if open ID doesnt work....
DeleteI'm a 60s fashion fanatic! Bring it back! :)
ReplyDelete