Just added a couple of lovely Alex Colman 1950’s summer dresses to the our website.  See below.

California’s sportswear manufacturing industry was in full swing back in the 1950s. Like Florida, southern California had become quite the popular vacation spot.  Great weather, perfect for outside activities,  meant clothing designers had to keep up with the demand for apparel that was appropriate  for this more casual outdoor lifestyle.

But casual didn’t mean you weren’t still supposed to dress tastefully. Back in the 50s, what passes for casual wear today,  t-shirts with  offensive sayings on them , shorts so tiny you need to get a bikini wax to wear them and  raggedy sweatpants, would not have been acceptable in public.    Sportswear from that era was informal, but ladylike,   including  feminine sundresses, smart little playsuits, full skirts and capris with matching blouses.  You get the picture, classy, not trashy!

By far, one of my favorite sportswear makers is Alex Colman.  His family owned company made some of the prettiest, classiest women’s sportwear from the 50s thorugh the 80s and they were especially known for their beautiful prints.

For more on the background of  Alex Colman, you can read this interview that Vintage Fashion Guild member, Lizzie Bramlet, did with Robert Colman, the son of the founder of the company.

Click on images for more information

50's Alex Colman Folk Art Print Tiered Sun Dress-36/28

50's Alex Colman Floral Print Summer Swing Dress-38/28

I