Alongside the multitudes of sheaths and empire cut dresses in stores, the 50’s frock is popular too. Very retro and as “Betty Draper” as it gets (for those who watch the popular TV series, Mad Men). The silhouette was made for the pear and hourglass body type because it flatters curves.

I love a retro 50’s frock and have precisely one in my wardrobe, complete with multiple layers of tulle lining (it’s the ball gown in this post). I love the way it moves and swooshes when I walk. It’s dramatic, timeless and fun to wear.

But I don’t own any 50’s daytime frocks because I’m still besotted with sheath, shirt and sack dresses. Those silhouettes seem to take precedence when I make a dress purchase. But I’m open to the idea of the daytime 50’s dress, as long as I can add an urban edge to the look – either with boots, a denim jacket, biker jacket or studded belt. I think I’d feel too twee if I paired the look with pretty little flats, sandals or pumps, pearls and a cropped cardigan.

What do you think of these 50’s frocks? Is it a style that you wear, or that you see yourself wearing? Would you wear the silhouette during the day, or save it for dressier occasions?

Update: I originally over-generalised to call these A-line frocks because they are narrow at the top and flare to the bottom, but as Nancy pointed out in the comments, this is quite misleading because the true A-line frock isn’t nipped in at the waist. So I’ve adjusted the text accordingly.