Paper Party Dresses

1960's fling-things paper dress with reversible hat

Hello Cape Girardeau, Missouri and beyond,

There is nothing like a disposable paper party dress. Wear it, enjoy it, throw it away, sounds ideal, doesn't it? Many 1960's females thought it was perfect.

The colors were bright, the designs were bold, and the convenience was unbeatable. Don't like the length, take the scissors and cut it to the desired length.

These fun dresses were usually A-line or tent dresses and slipped over your head -- no buttons -- or they were tied at the shoulders. You could iron these dresses with a cool iron, but who would want to? Although they were disposable, they could be washed. Wash paper dresses! The most common material in paper dresses was cotton and cellulose or 100% cellulose. Cellulose is plant fibers. With cotton contentment, they were softer. What's paper made from? It can be made from cellulose fibers and cotton. The paper dresses were also fire resistant if they were not washed. They were dangerously flammable if they were washed or dry-cleaned!

Another great feature of these packaged paper party dresses is they sometimes came with a piece of yarn to use in your hair or tie as a belt, or use the yarn for an empire waist. Some packaged dresses included a hat or reversible hat and occasionally a bag or reversible bag.

These dresses were advertised as great for parties, shopping, lounging, entertaining, and traveling or to wear to the beach. They were the accepted versatile dress.

You don't like the length, just cut to desired length with scissors, no sewing. You don't like a straight edge hem; scallop the bottom of the dress. A creative or artistic person could glue some glitter or sequins to the design pattern of the dress.

The sizes ranged from Tiny Miss: 3-4, Little Miss, or small: 6-8, Junior Miss, or medium: 10-12, and large 16-18. Remember, vintage sizes were different from today's sizes. Be sure and measure for an accurate fit.

In the 1960's these packaged dresses sold from $1.50 to $5.00. The price usually depended on what was included in the package, such as hat and bag. Today the prices of these dresses depends on the brand and if the package is still sealed and still, what's included with the dress, and of course condition.

What were some of the '60s brands? Hallmark Flower Fantasy, fling-things, Candy Wrappers, Paper Doll Fashion designed in London, James Sterling Paper Fashions, Unique Boutique, and one of the most sought after today is Waste Basket Boutique. Get ready for today's prices of $40 to over $100. If you can find one of these great dresses for $30, you have an excellent bargain.

Fashion is at your disposal and don't dispose of it!

Have fun. Be classic, be you, wear vintage.