It’s that time of year when spring is still trying to decide if it wants to come out and play, and people look at their closets and scratch their heads. If you are like me, you are desperately wanting to lighten up the wardrobe, but I’m afraid that if I get too optimistic then winter will return and I’ll be caught out in the cold unprepared.
It’s an old problem, and I imagine that in 1952 it was even harder to cope with a changing season as most people did not have the extensive wardrobes that we do today. The model above has put away the heavy woolens, and has opted for a “three season” suit – one made of lightweight wool or heavy cotton in a neutral color. Just add season appropriate accessories and the look is complete. (20 inch waist, optional)
Photographer: Serge Balkin
Model: Not credited
Copyright: Condé Nast
The Vintage Traveler 
OMG! Her waist is smaller than her head! Great cover.
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In 1952 I was a perky 20 year old…and in those days I spent every penny of my pay check on pretty clothes. In fact much like the outfit the model in the picture (without the hat and the teeny weeny waist) is wearing.
I remember the hips were lightly padded in our suits. I wonder it the suit in the picture has the padded hips?
Can you tell me anything about padded hips, Liz? I never see them in vintage clothing. Do you?
The pad was slightly curved and about 1/4 in thick and did not make you look heavier. It made the suit look expensive (it was) and well tailored. I had three padded hipped suits that I remember.
My “now” wardrobe consists of jeans and sweat shirt. smile.
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Marge, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a skirt with a padded hip. Can anyone shed any light on this subject?
You ought to share some photos of you in your 1950s clothes!
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It was not a padded skirt….It was a padded suit jacket. The hip line area of the jacket was padded. The pad was not very thick, but slightly curved. It could have been a fashion that was never popular and done in higher fashioned clothes. My sister and I loved clothes and we both would buy a suit or outfit together (each pay half). I am going to research this padded hip thing, because I have mentioned it to others and they were not familiar with it either. Tell me where to look Liz. I do not know the labels of these 5 suits, that would have helped. I will let you know if/what I find.
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Well, now it all makes sense! And I don’t need to help you with where to look, as you did quite well on your own!
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Christian Dior, in 1950 introduced the padded hip, also skinny skirts, to follow the natural shape of a woman…This did not become popular and died out when Christian Dior died n 1957. (Liz,I Googled “ladies suit with padded hips 1952” and did find something about padded hips.)
In 1950 my sister and I knew nothing about designers or designer clothes…we would just pool our money and buy what we wanted. So these suits may have been designer fashions.
Note: This lack of good sense left as soon as I left home and had to pay my own bills and expenses. smile.
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You were lucky to have a sister with whom you could share the clothes – and the cost.
Dior actually introduced the padding in the hips in 1947 with a suit called the Bar. http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1486_couture/exhibHighBarSuit.php
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I wore a very springy/summery pink and white skirt yesterday. With black sweater, black tights, boots, and my faux leopard coat. Because that is “spring” in Michigan!
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That sounds like a fun look. Take a little summer and a little winter, mix it all up and you get spring!
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I’m surprised to see the word “pregnant” on a 1952 magazine cover. In small town South Carolina, the word was “expecting.” I can’t remember the first time I even heard the “p” word, but I remember it was rather shocking to my sensibilities!
We talk about how thin today’s models are, but I can’t help but notice how thin the cover model’s waist and arms are. Scarlett had nothing on her.
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You know, I thought about commenting on the pregnant question. Remember that I Love Lucy was not allowed to use the word “pregnant” in 1952, so putting it on the cover of a magazine does seem to be a bit bold.
And the answer to the question was “Yes, you should work while pregnant if you want to.”
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What is the white fabric that the model wearing under the suit? Is it a blouse? A scarf?
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I’m afraid I can’t tell, and the caption does not give that info.
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