Poodle skirts were a staple in the 1950s and 1960s, but they also became popular in the early 1970s. The skirts were initially made of wool or cotton and were worn with saddle shoes.
In this article, we’ll cover a poodle skirt. From the trend of the poodle skirt, what shoes go with a poodle skirt, what can you wear with a poodle skirt, and many others.
Let’s check the details below!
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The trend of poodle skirt
The poodle skirt is a fashion staple of the 50s and 60s. It has large, fluffy dogs applied to the outside. In the 1950s, it was a popular skirt design made from wool felt and decorated with appliques, embroidery, beads & spangles.
In the 1950s, most women wore circle skirts, which were sold everywhere. For evening, many women wore circle skirts adorned with glitter or sequins. Full and flaring circle skirts appeared in some fashion magazines like Harper’s Bazar Harper’s949.
When you think of a circle skirt, it likely conjures up the image of a puffy and airy dress. But authentic circle skirts are not gathered or pleated – they’re shaped, they’re one piece of fabric!
Circle skirts were popular at the turn of the century but lost their appeal by the end of the Edwardian period. They resurfaced in the 1950s, perhaps due to the jitterbug dance trend.
Why is it called a poodle skirt?
Poodle skirts can be designed to look like anything – dogs, people, records. It can even be life-sized pieces of badminton or chess boards.
Poodle skirts never caught on with the adult crowd but became a way for teenagers to create their fashion.
Sewing pattern companies like Butterick, Simplicity, Vogue and McCall’s generate patterns for circle skirts. Some read-to-wear manufacturers carved careers out of selling off-the-rack poodle skirts.
Thanks to their chic hairstyles, the poodle became synonymous with refinement. So much that film executives had their top starlets photographed with them.
Teenagers inexperienced in sewing could make these skirts, and pattern designers quickly issued many designs which played on the appliqué skirts.
Who invented the poodle skirt?
Julie Lynn Charlot created the first Christmas-themed felt skirt.
Julie Lynn Charlot invented the poodle skirt in 1948. The 1st Westminster Dog Show took place the same year as the first poodle skirts were made.
Inspired by her lack of sewing skills, a limited budget, and an ambition to try something new with her wardrobe, she decided to make a no-sew skirt. Juli Lynn Charlot’s original poodle skirt is on sale for $750.
The poodle became a fashion train that moved through the Western world quickly. The first skirt with seasonal appliques was designed and promptly became a hit at the party. Soon after, the appliques became the main feature of many designs.
Currently, two of the most likely places collectors will find circle skirts are vintage clothing stores and shows. Condition is critical because circle skirts are relatively “new.”
The average skirt sells for $10 to $30. Those with great decoration may go for up to $60.
People often wore the poodle skirt with a striped knit top, sleeveless button-down shirt, short sleeve sweater, or cardigan.
How to create a poodle girl look
The vintage look is stylish, but not everything needs to be old! Any shirt can work with a poodle skirt and if you need help finding one, check out our store or your local mall.
Try finding some simple white or black tennis shoes for a flexible budget. There are many situations where you can get away with painting a pair of tennis shoes to look like a saddle shoe.
I fluff up the hem of my flared skirt. You can use ribbons, lace, or gauzy fabric to give your 50s skirt volume and shape. It doesn’t have the form sewed, just sewn well enough to stay on. Use extra netting/gauzy fabric as a scarf for your hair or neck.
Circle skirts are one of the hottest items in vintage clothing. They come in a dizzying assortment of styles, from simple to frivolous.
If you’re making your skirt, you should also make a dress to wear underneath it. The simplest version is just one rectangle — hem the length at your desired placement for the skirt’s hemline.
What shoes go with poodle skirts?
A poodle skirt is an elastic-waisted full circle skirt. It typically features pleated ruffles and decorative trim in contrasting fabrics.
The most popular party dress design is the poodle skirt. Don’t forget an underskirt. Otherwise, the skirt would pop out!
Shoes that go with poodle skirts depend on the style of the dress and what you’re wearing you’re.
For example, if you’re wearing your skirt to school or work, you might want to wear flats or loafers. If you’re going for a special occasion, like prom, you might want to wear something with a bit of height, like heels or wedges.
Ideally, the poodle skirt is also worn with flats: ballet slippers, flat sneakers like Chuck’s or Ked’s saddle shoes. And with bobby.
What can you wear with a poodle skirt?
Girls & women usually wear paddle skirts and blouses with chiffon neck scarves. You can also wear grease costumes and 50s prom outfits.
There’s classic-inspired architecture and furniture.
When making a poodle skirt, it’s best to use a dress to wear underneath. It will help the skirt stay out of your shoes and create a more fashionable look.
Some people wore poodle skirt outfits with striped knit tops, sleeveless button-down blouses, short sleeve knit sweaters, or cardigans.
How do you make a poodle skirt easily?
If you want to make a poodle skirt without a pattern:
- Start by measuring your waist and adding 2 inches.
- Divide this number by half to find the radius of the circle.
- Fold some felt fabric in half and insert it.
Wear a wide cinch belt, neck scarf, socks, and saddles shoes.
You can also wear ultra-popular hairstyles from the 1950s, such as the Bouffant, Ponytails, French Plaits, Pin-curls, Poodle Cut, Artichoke Cut, Compact Coiffures, and Bubble Cut.
Modern poodle skirts are made out of contemporary felt. Make a dress to wear underneath a poodle skirt.
How should you dress for a 1950s party?
Girls usually wear a poodle skirt and a chiffon neck scarf with a set of bobby socks, saddle shoes, and cat eyeglasses. Adults can also go to the prom in 50s outfits, different from high school ones.
We all know that musicals are a little more popular today than they were in the ’50s. When Grea50’sit the back of theater stages, it was a little later on in this decade. Regardless of when our favorite food ended up on the stove, both the name and gang suggest some rebellion against conformity.
Key pieces from the 1950s have been inspirations for many current designers. It’s a trend that you should take advantage of it by mixing your contemporary style with retro pieces.
’50s pin-up sty’50sas all about feminine sex appeal. Key pieces included tight-fitting pencil skirts, hot pants, halter neck dresses.
