This winter has been long and brutal for lots of folks in the States, including here in Pittsburgh. It’s finally spring, and I’ve already bought new sandals and started daydreaming about warmer weather! And what goes with warmer weather? A chance to wear all those pretty dresses that have been languishing in your closet these long winter months! I am a public librarian and, to a certain extent, adhere to the cardigan-loving stereotype – but this is one year that I will be happy to put my sweaters away.
We’ve got lots of lovelies over in our Etsy shop, in case you feel like adding a new dress to your springtime wardrobe! Here are some of my favorites. Click on the photos to see the individual listings in our shop.
1970s Strawberry Dress
This dress is simply adorable. This is a pale mint green polyester maxi dress with a collar featuring lace and embroidered strawberries! I have a soft spot for novelty patterns, and anything made for adults that is slightly childlike – or at least has the sort of whimsical touches that are usually associated with items made for children. This is a perfect example. This dress is really too cute – a lighthearted fresh fashion statement from the 1970s. I can’t wait for strawberry season!
1970s Pink Floral Dress
Here’s another dress from the 1970s. This is a darling maxi dress – very feminine, with a sheer pink floral overlay. I love these flowing graceful layers! The under layer on this dress is very crisp, and the whole thing is in wonderful condition. This dress would be right at home at a garden party, a wedding, or a formal dance.
1970s Cream Formal Dress
This one is another example of a formal dress from the 70s with a sheer overlay. Exquisite! This dress is NOS (New Old Stock) with the tags still on, and is just waiting to become a part of someone’s special day. I can see this dress being worn in a field of flowers by a hippie bride, can’t you? I’m not a very femme girl, but this dress makes me wish I had long hair, parted in the middle, and was standing in a field holding a bouquet of daisies. So romantic!
1960s Dress by Anjac
I picked one more dress to showcase – let’s come back to reality with this one, shall we? This pretty 1960s shirtwaist dress doesn’t need a special occasion to shine. You could wear this dress to work or play, any day of the week. The soft cotton poly blend is really perfect for this season. This dress is by Anjac, a company founded in the 1940s by Jack Needleman in Los Angeles. Anjac is a combination of his and his wife Annette’s first names. Marc Needleman, the designer of this particular dress, was one of their three sons. The Needlemans became one of the most successful families in the L.A garment district, and moved from clothes on to real estate – Anjac Fashion Buildings still exists as a real estate company. When Jack passed away in 1999, he was a major philanthropist who had donated millions of dollars to charities and to organizations like the Los Angeles Conservancy. Isn’t that a fantastic history for such an unassuming garment?
Now that I’ve spent some time talking about these lovely dresses, I’m even more ready for sunshine and warmer weather. I hope all of you are enjoying your spring season!