Classy and tailored eight-gore skirts exactly like two I have in my collection (handed down by my fashion plate grandmother). These have the fullness without all the gathers around the waist, making for a very flattering fit.

All of these delightful images were shared by Magic Dog Enterprises. The donor has also been kind enough to provide the text from the pattern backs where she could! Top left: “Jr. Misses’ and Misses’ One-piece dress with two skirts: Dress has wide shaped collar with notched detail, set-in sleeves, midriff sections and top-stitching detail. [...]

This pattern illustrates how a very simple design can make the transition from day to evening. The long skirt and dramatic back are truly striking.

Suddenly we’re slim again! This is a 1957 McCall’s pattern which shows a return to the slim look of twenty years before, albeit with shorter skirts and bared arms this time around.

The flared skirt look lasted well over a decade–even when the slimmer skirts started coming into vogue. Here is a pattern from 1959 with options for the both the slim and the full look.

Here is a ladies’ “playsuit” from the 1950s. What drama! Note the one-shoulder bodice styling and the “pannier” wrap skirt.

This is a lovely example of the early 1950s look with the full, hip-emphasizing skirt and pretty horizontal bodice detailing. It’s the dawn of the “New Look.”

A pattern for two 1954 blouses. Note the interesting angled sleeve/armscye details.

A gorgeous 1950s gown pattern–probably for bridesmaids’ dresses. The one on the left would be for a formal evening wedding, while the one on the right would work for a daytime wedding. Dreamy!

Early 1950′s dress, just beginning to show that 1950′s “New Look” silhouette.