Dress

Saks Fifth Avenue

ca. 1956 · silk · Costume Institute

American ready-to-wear became even more abundant during the 1950s and retailers were sure to offer a variety of silhouettes to their clients. In addition to the New Look, there was also a slim, fitted silhouette and a boxy style. In 1957, Balenciaga introduced the sack back dress and reproductions were quickly distributed. A fresh look, women began buying this new dress by the thousand, threatening the full-skirted silhouette. Featured here is an example of this style in a colorful floral pattern, complete with matching pumps.

Artist

Saks Fifth Avenue

Date

ca. 1956

Medium

silk

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Louise K. McGann, 1977