Taffeta is a crisp, smooth, plain woven fabric made from silk or cuprammonium rayons as well as acetate and polyester. It is considered to be a “high-end” fabric, suitable for use in ball gowns, wedding dresses, and in interior decoration for curtains or wallcoverings.
Taffeta is also widely used in the manufacture of corsets and corsetry: it yields a more starched-like type of cloth that holds its shape better than many other fabrics.
There are two distinct types of silk taffeta: yarn-dyed and piece-dyed. Piece-dyed taffeta is often used in linings and is quite soft. Yarn-dyed taffeta is much stiffer and is often used in evening dresses. Shot silk taffeta was one of the most highly sought forms of Byzantine silk, and may have been the fabric known as purpura.
A set of gorgeous photos that shows classic beauties wearing taffeta dresses in the 1950s.
1950s classic beauties in taffeta dresses |
Taffeta is also widely used in the manufacture of corsets and corsetry: it yields a more starched-like type of cloth that holds its shape better than many other fabrics.
There are two distinct types of silk taffeta: yarn-dyed and piece-dyed. Piece-dyed taffeta is often used in linings and is quite soft. Yarn-dyed taffeta is much stiffer and is often used in evening dresses. Shot silk taffeta was one of the most highly sought forms of Byzantine silk, and may have been the fabric known as purpura.
A set of gorgeous photos that shows classic beauties wearing taffeta dresses in the 1950s.
Audrey Hepburn wearing a voluminous evening coat of rustling green taffeta |
Ann Blyth models a ravishing taffeta dress of seafoam green |
Carmen Dell'Orefice in a short evening dress of romantic iridescent silk taffeta by Ceil Chapman |
Dovima in a red taffeta evening gown with big poufy sleeves, and earrings, bracelet and brooch |
Enid Boulting models a stunning pink taffeta party dress |
Eva Marie Saint in a classic romantic dress of black taffeta |
Georgia Hamilton is wearing a charming polka dot print dress in silk taffeta for a photoshoot for Harper's Bazaar |
Jane Sprague models a taffeta evening gown by Jacques Fath |
Jean Patchett in a taffeta dress which made of a few white beads and some golden brown satin |
Kathleen Hughes wearing a luscious rustling taffeta dress |
Kim Novak is resplendent in a lightweight taffeta summer dress and gives all a lovely view of her petticoats |
Lisa Fonssagrives poses in a luxurious two-tone taffeta gown by Charles James |
Loretta Young in ravishing green taffeta by Adrian |
Lovely lady wears a dress of moire taffeta (or watered silk) |
Marie-Helene wears a silk taffeta backless dress by Guy Laroche |
Model Gigi in an evening gown of voluminous plaid taffeta skirt and and green taffeta bustier by Pierre Balmain |
Model in a beautifully draped evening gown |
Model in a soft shirt of silk organdie with a splash of red panels over a black taffeta skirt |
Model in strapless silk taffeta dress designed by Norman Norell |
Model is wearing a beautiful taffeta strapless evening gown by Pierre Balmain |
Model wearing a peacock blue dress of Arnel taffeta |
Sophia Loren in an elegant evening gown of red taffeta |
Suzy Parker is wearing Givenchy's Chinese printed taffeta skirt with a lace petticoat and a quilted satin blouse |
Virginia Mayo is ready for St. Patrick's day in a fabulous gown of whispering taffeta |
Zsa Zsa Gabor in red taffeta dress |
These evening gowns are stunning, real fashion AS IT SHOULD BE, the height of elegance, as a woman should look. I am 80 this year, but I can recall those wonderful fashions of the 1950s very well. It would be so nice to see those styles come back, I am sure also, the rustle sound of those taffeta gowns were lovely.
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