In a previous post I featured some stunning evening dresses from a September 1959 issue I have of L’Officiel, the French luxury fashion magazine. This time I’d like to share some photos of chic designer suits featured in the same issue. These are some seriously classy looking outfits. IMO much more attractive than the huge shoulder padded power suits worn in the 80s, especially those excessively bejeweled “Dynasty” abominations. To complete an outfit in 1959, hats, gloves and shoes with a matching purse was still the way to go, and would remain a key look into the mid 1960s.
The suit below was designed by Guy Laroche. The fabric is a faux fur made from “crylor”, an acrylic fiber made in France.
Faux fur suit by Guy Laroche 1959
The two piece dress suit was a very popular pulled together look, with matching coat, jacket or sometimes a cape.
This wool flannel ensemble is by Dior.
Dior wool flannel dress ensemble-1959
Lanvin Castillo suit is stunning, but really wish I knew who designed this hat and the one in the image below!
Black wool skirt and fitted jacket with side button closure and ocelot collar.
Lanvin Castillo suit with ocelot collar-1959
Plum color wool suit by Pierre Cardin.
Love the way the outfit is showcased against the orange, black and white tile background.
Pierre Cardin plum wool suit-1959
And then there are the cocktail suits.
Nina Ricci matelasse brocade dress ensemble.
Nina Ricci matelasse brocade cocktail suit-1959
Black lace dress ensemble by Jacques Heim.
Jacques Heim black lace cocktail suit-1959
Amazing silver beaded dress suit with otter lined jacket. By Guy Laroche.
Guy Laroche silver beaded cocktail suit-1959
Another from Guy Laroche. Silver and gold brocade 7/8 coat with mink collar and matching skirt.
Guy Laroche brocade and mink cocktail suit-1959
Now, my question is, if you had to go to a swanky party or even an important business dinner at some five star restaurant, would you wear an outfit like this if you could get your hands on one?
Related posts:
Tags: 1950's, 50's, L'officiel magazine, vintage fashion
Lovely blog. I invite you to visit mine, Readingvintagevogues.blogspot.com, in which I plow through the October 15, 1959 issue of Vogue, page by page. Just now, I’ve hit pages of brocade cocktail dressing, unfortunately NOT up to the quality of the French designers. But, yes, I actually looked up upcoming galas in the local paper to see if I could crash a minor one in a damned nice suit. Nice work!
Thanks, Catherine. Will pop on over and have a look!
Oh you can bet your bippy I would! When I have a min I’ll be back to peruse your site