1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes On Holiday
There are exciting sunny days to look forward to, and how easy it is to look our best in summertime when there is a wealth of gay, prettily patterned fabrics to choose from. We have selected our favourites from Cavendish’s extensive Terylene range- fabrics that wash like a dream, are easy to pack, shed their creases and need little ironing. For home dressmakers there are five patterns that make the most of Terylene’s marvellous qualities.
Today’s Fashion Moment is brought to you by this Woman and Home magazine from May 1965.
(Sorry for being terribly out of season! We don’t have sunny days ahead, but I really wanted to post these while it’s still summer, before the calendar flips from August to September, and we start to turn our thoughts to colder days. Except, of course, for my readers from the Southern hemisphere; in which case- Happy Springtime! These are right on time for you!)
Have you ever read any vintage magazines? I found a few of these British “Woman and Home” 1960’s magazines at the thrift store a few years ago. Sometimes vintage magazines are great, and the fashion is often wonderful (or amusing if nothing else), but often the “self help” and advice is just Terrible. Yes, with a capital “T”. This magazine’s target audience, as far as I can tell, is the 30-something housewife, who is trying to keep up appearances with the neighbours, raise two neat and tidy children who dress in adorable clothes, remain fashionably attired herself, and above all keep her “youthful bloom” from fading, because if her husband starts fooling around with the secretary, who really could blame him? (But don’t worry, because with Melody hair dye, you can cover your grey hair, and keep your husband at home where he belongs.) Seriously, it is very depressing. But, then again, I find most modern “advice” columns to be pretty bad too.
Fortunately, I was not looking for advice when I picked up these magazines- I was after the 1960’s fashion columns! There are not many photo spreads, but there are enough to be interesting. (There are also some great advertisements, one of which I shared back in February!) I thought you all might like to see the fashion photos, so today I am sharing a column about the new “Terylene” fabric. Here are the rest of the magazine captions, and some lovely pictures to inspire you to 1960’s fashion greatness!
For late afternoon wear, a “special” dress that is so appealing because of its relaxed and unruffled charm in a cool turquoise printed pique voile. (The colour is so off- it looks cerulean!)
For lazing in the sun, the ever popular shirtwaister brought right up to date in a dreamy lavender, pink and brown Terylene lawn, with a permanently pleated skirt and short raglan sleeves. And, an elegant yet comfortable two piece for carefree travelling in Terylene and viscose which has an easy fitting bloused top and a detachable ring collar in a toning abstract design.
For the beach, a dazzling white two piece in Terylene and viscose, worn under a stunning beach shirt in filmy transparent pique voile. And, to offset a newly acquired sun-tan, a deliberately simple sheath in yellow and green printed crepe with the back revealing a deep slashed V trimmed with frills.
And this one was not from the Terylene article, but I thought I’d include it, as it fit in nicely: Prettiest 4-ply cardigan with well-styled favourite raglan sleeves. A contrast colour picks out the focal points- delicate bands of pattern and fancy borders.
I absolutely love the first image, of the ruffled V back sundress. It would be so perfect for the sunny summer days. Which outfit here is your favourite? Would you wear any of these? And have you ever heard of Terylene before? (I hadn’t!)
August 30, 2016 @ 7:14 pm
My favorite is the turquoise/cerulean dress. (The print reminds me of a dress that I wore out.) I would wear that and the light blue cardigan. I also like the yellow floral on white but I couldn’t wear it. It would look good on you, though. 🙂
August 31, 2016 @ 10:29 am
I love that dress too- so classy end timeless!
September 2, 2016 @ 6:14 am
Great blog and photos! Loved the outtakes too 🙂
September 2, 2016 @ 9:56 am
Thanks so much Alethea! I’m glad you stopped in 🙂
September 2, 2016 @ 7:39 pm
P.S. I have never heard of Terylene, either, but I have heard of Dacron, the U.S. brand. But then, I am way older than you. ? It’d be interesting to find out if it’s still used
P.S.S. I like your new profile pic.
September 2, 2016 @ 10:54 pm
I do wonder whether it is still used. As it is a polyester fabric, it’s probably just known under a different name- or simply listed as “polyester” on the fibre content. Who knows! Oh, and thanks- I kind of like the new photo too- I don’t think I look too crazed holding a large pair of scissors 😉
September 7, 2016 @ 1:08 am
I love the two piece and the yellow & white shirt. Sounds like I am this magazine’s target audience (except for the neatness factor)! My husband had the hide to tell me that my grey hairs were distinguished…hmmm.
September 7, 2016 @ 10:27 am
Such great 60’s styles I agree! And, grey hair is definitely distinguished 😉
September 7, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
How completely lovely! What a marvelous way to photograph and highlight pages from a great mid-sixties magazine. These photos are absolutely beautiful and capture the spirit both of summer, and of the era that the mag hails from, so nicely.
I’d wear just about everything highlighted here, but I think that the wiggle dress with elbow length sleeves is my absolute favourite.
xoxo ♥ Jessica
September 7, 2016 @ 11:05 pm
I love that wiggle dress too! I think it’s kind of cool that they photographed it on an older lady too, as so often models are young. It really is such a timeless style for any age.
September 9, 2016 @ 3:15 pm
I do love old magazines for styling inspiration. Especially for sewing, there are so many unusual details to incorporate. Lovely to see the gorgeous images!
September 9, 2016 @ 3:22 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed the images! They are so great for inspiration 🙂
September 13, 2016 @ 2:36 pm
I think I would take the shirtwaister and the turquoise dress. I love vintage magazines for the adverts and fashion but the articles and advice are so often terrible. I feel sorry for all the woman who read them and felt like that was the way they had to be, e en if they would have preferred a different path.
September 13, 2016 @ 4:17 pm
Can’t go wrong with a classic shirtwaist!
And I totally agree- sometimes I think that the advice swirling around these days is wonky, but then I look to the past, and it was no better back then! It really is sad that women were given those messages.