Colour-blocking is thought of as the exploration of taking colors that are opposites on the color wheel and pairing them together to make interesting and complementary color combinations. It is commonly associated in fashion as a trend that originated from the artwork of Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian (Source).
In the 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent was inspired by Mondrian’s work and created the iconic dress seen below. Colour-blocking was also the early introduction of Mod Style, a 60’s trend known for bold, solid colored separates that were composed of blocks in different hues (Source).
Source: The Met
Now in the case of 1940’s & 1950’s fashion, colour-blocking was very understated and normally unintentional. This is why when you research the history of this style, you won’t really find the 40s and 50s being mentioned as a trendy time for this look (at least I could not find much info).
I did find an interesting piece of information about 1940s colour-blocking though….
It was an ideal way to use small pieces of fabric that would not be enough on their own for a garment, combined in ways that could make a whole garment and a fun fashion statement. Designers became very creative with color blocking, even in odd combinations (Source).
Source: Etsy
The Colour Block Fashions of the 1940s & 1950s
Vintage Fashion Examples
For today’s post I want to showcase the 1940s & 1950s and what colour-blocking looked like during this time period of fashion (with a late 1930s & early 1960s dresses thrown in for fun).
Let’s begin!
(Note: Updated March 2024)
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.
VINTAGE SHOPPING: I have put together to make your shopping easier, an Etsy collection of vintage color block fashion’s, that is updated monthly. Happy Shopping!
This is the dress that started this post. It’s so pretty, I could cry! I just wished it fit, but it does not so it will live forever on my blog!
A stunning vintage 1930s puffed sleeved evening gown in black velveteen and mint faille colour block.
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1940s Pink + Burgundy Wool Colour Block Dress (love the colour combo!).
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1940’s pale blue & black colour block dress (avail as of March 2024 HERE).
I own a very similar dress to this one and was always confused on how it was supposed to look on, but now I know.
Source: Etsy
1940s Gorgeous Pink and Black Rayon Color Block Dress. I love the colour combo!
Source: Etsy
Holy Jeepers! THIS DRESS!! Falling over from how stunning it is! A 1940s navy blue red white dash print rayon crepe, two tone colour block dress.
Source: Etsy
1940’s black and pink pinafore style colour block dress.
Source: Etsy
Spring/Summer Modes Royale catalogue from 1947 featuring 1940s Color Block dresses.
Source: rhondabuss.com
Maybe I’m alone on this, but I LOVE COLOUR-BLOCKING DRESSES! Here is another beauty. A vintage 1940s wool gabardine black and dusty pink dress with unique pockets.
Source: Etsy
You had me with this dress with those color-blocked ruffles at the back. STUNNING!
A vintage 1940s dark taupe & pumpkin spice orange colour block, rayon crepe cocktail dress w/ruffles.
Source: Etsy
1940 Fashion Illustration featuring Color Block Evening Dresses & Casual Day Dresses.
Source: Pinterest
1940s junior rayon puff sleeve colour block dress. Super cute!
Source: Etsy
Modes Royale Fall/Winter 1955/56 Fashions.
Source: rhondabuss.com
I’m a huge fan of Rose Marie Reid Swimsuits, as you would of read all about it a past post seen below. So it was very exciting that I found one of her designs for this colour block post, that is for sale! Someone so very lucky will get to own this beautiful 1950s vintage bathing suit and look so fab everytime they put it on. LUCKY DUCK!
Further Reading: 1940s & 1950s Canadian Swimsuit Designer-Rose Marie Reid
Source: Etsy
Glorious 1950’s cotton sun dress. This dress features a large scale colour block of yellow, white and blue, self tie straps and clever pocket placement. This is so darn cute!
Source: Etsy
Gorgeous 1950s cotton colour block dress done in the gradient shades of pink!
Source: Etsy
1950’s Fit n flare cotton dress in a sky blue and chocolate brown color block.
Source: Etsy
1950s red and blue colour block shirtwaist dress.
Further Reading: The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940s and 1950s
Source: Etsy
To end here is a 1960’s Carol Rodgers cotton dress featuring a yellow and white color block print. Also featured is how the dress looked like on the model in this 1963 ‘Lana Lobell’ catalog.
Source: Etsy
Question time: Are you a fan of colour-blocking? Share your thoughts and what your favourite outfit was, in the comments section below.
Thanks for dropping by!
FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Liz
Hello Liz you are doing a stellar job. Now as a man in his mid 50’s I must say that the dresses are interesting. My Mother would make all her own dresses. As a young boy she would send me to the little grocery store with a sample of the fabric and change in an envelope. I’d spend what felt like an eternity looking for that just right shade of colour that almost exact. I’d watch her smile as I came home with the correct shade she wanted. That’s a big accomplishment for a 5 year old.
I really enjoy this site and love the vintage things you send. Really jogs the memory and I learn something new, because of you!
Your friend,
Frank.
Hi Frank!
Thank you so very much for dropping by and commenting with such a wonderful memory of you and your mother. Love this memory. What a big kid you would of been to have been tasked with such a job. Bravo!
Also thank you so much for the kind words about my blog, it means a lot.
Take care and thanks again for commenting!
Liz
you are truly amazing at this, I appreciate this work so very much.
That’s amazing!!! That was excellent your mom trusted you to find just the right shade of thread. Do you sew yourself?
no unfortunately lol, however I forgot to mention that it was thread for the machine i was looking for, I’m glad you understood.
I forgot to mention it was the shade of the thread for the sewing machine. Lol 🥴
I had a color blocked shirt in the early Nineties. Bold stripes were fashionable in the mid-Eighties.
Colour Block is so great that I’m pretty sure you will always see it pop up as trends.