1940s Blue Ruffle Dress

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

Every once in a while, I run across a dress that is really unique. In fact, this dress is so unique that I'm pretty sure I tried it on backwards the first time because I couldn't tell which way it went.  The back is as pretty as the front!

I found this dress at a pop-up shop at a reenactment, and I eventually realized which way it's to be worn because of a bust dart. (There's one with a ruffle on the other side.) The love the details all over the dress and the drama they create.  Ruffles, gathers, back belt, asymmetry, buttons... It's amazing!


Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

What's also amazing about it?  It fit right off!  What a lovely, rare coincidence when that happens!  I was excited to pair it with this giant green hat.

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

Although it was *literally* freezing yesterday, it's back to tank top weather today (for real).  We're having quite the Indian summer here in Missouri, so I was able to wear this short-sleeve number with green cotton gloves and clogs.

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

This is the first time I've worn the hat, gloves, and dress, and every once in a while it feels pretty great to have an almost totally new outfit. This has been hanging in my closet waiting for just the right occasion, and I'm glad summer has hung on long enough to make it possible today!

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

Flashback Summer: 1940s vintage blue ruffle dress

14 comments

  1. The dress, and the entire outfit, is absolutely stunning! It looks incredible with the bright green. And all those amazing details, I love them every single one. Is it handmade or professionally made? The reason I ask is if this was a dress from the UK it probably wouldn't have had that many pieces of detailing, never mind the number of buttons, unless it was handmade. Garments from the first half of the 40s were kept simpler due to restrictions. xx

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    1. It doesn’t have a label, but it’s quite well made. It closes under the back ruffle, with a side zip, and the back belt snaps under the front ruffle. So it’s a bit complicated, and I’m not sure if it’s homemade. There wasn’t as much rationing in the US before or after the war, so it may not be as defining.

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  2. Such an awesome dress! And I love it paired with the bright green.
    Emily

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  3. What a super gorgeous look! The dress is beautiful on its own, but paired with that green the look is extra stunning!

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  4. What a fabulous look! All of the details on the dress are uniquely gorgeous, and I love the combination of the blue and the green.

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    1. Thank you! I haven't incorporated much green into my wardrobe yet, but I'm loving it!

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  5. So fabulous, Emileigh! I so love the Navy and green together.

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    1. Thank you, Tanya! I'm just venturing into wearing green more and I'm glad it's working!

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  6. What a wonderful dress! All those details are amazing, and how nice that it fit too. And your wide brimmed hat is the perfect accessory to pair with the dress.

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    1. Thank you very much! I love how solid colored pieces almost always work with each other.

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  7. Beautiful find! Truly, what great luck! I chuckled when I read that you tried it on backwards because I have done the same thing on more than one occasion. I remember a 60s dress I tried on backwards (both sides were nearly identical and no darting - figures). We found out I tried it on backwards because my sister pointed out the neckline and how it sat on me and how it really should have sat . . . One of those fun mysteries of life.
    Jennie from the uglydame.blogspot.com

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    1. Ha, that's hilarious! Yeah, the confusing part for me was the asymmetrical buttons down the back. Usually that seems to be a front detail, but not this time! Sometimes when those designers of the past got creative, we modern women have to re-discover what the heck they were doing, haha!

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