The Wardrobe Wizard

Throughout history, we have seen fashion being reinvented all the time. Whether it’s the ancient Romans, Greeks, or a style from the Victorian era, styles and trends are forever being given a new twist!

Here is the corseted look of the 1950’s given a modern twist for the 2020’s!

Let’s compare this stunning 1950s vintage dress to Schiaparelli’s 2023 design.

Although there are very strong correlations to the 16th-century wasp waist, or the 17th century, which saw the birth of the corset, and of course the 18th and 19th centuries that gave us those full hooped skirts and tiny waist circumferences!

Both images have black sculpted corset-shaped bodices, exposed over a full skirt. One, of course, pleated and short, is a 2023 modern take on a classic ’50s shape. The 2023 version appears to be perhaps a moulded velvet. The back of the 2023 version has lacing, much like what would have been seen in the 17th to 19th century, when styles were typically laced at the back, much like today’s corsets. The fabric of both skirts, although different, give fullness. The pleating and thickness of the fabric in the Schiaparelli dress give it shape. The vintage gown gets fullness with the use of an underskirt and a tulle outer layer. Both bodices also follow a similar line where the skirt meets the bodice.

But its not just the 1950’s that has been reinvented, look at the following image this stunning fringed Chanel piece from the 1920’s is reborn for the 2020’s by Dior!

The image on the left clearly shows a strong correlation to the styles of the 1920s, represented here by Chanel.

Both dresses have intricate fringing detail and similar geometric pattern variations. Even though the Chanel image is black and white, it makes me feel as if they could be in the same color palette.

Dior’s 2023 dress has the same narrow shift dress shape of the 1920 Chanel version and a similar scoop neckline. The 2023 version has slightly narrower shoulder straps. The dresses are the same length, and both models have shoes with the same slightly squared-off toe. The hairstyle in the 2023 picture also resembles what is photographed in the 1920s version. On closer inspection, I observed that the choker necklace in the Dior image is also pearl, and the Chanel image also features a pearl necklace, although in a long strand.

It’s definitely a case of what goes around comes around again, and fashion proves it to us time and time again!