I found this little clothing catalog in my antique shed the other day. It is dated 1954 to 1955 Winter catalog, and features this blue coat on the cover for $13.95. I remember my mother having a similar coat in her favorite color red, which she made herself as she was quite an accomplished seamstress. I also recall her making party dresses like the ones below. It was so fashionable to dress up for a Saturday night party, even when it was just an evening out with friends. Casual dress was reserved for picnics and cookouts at friend's homes when the entire family was invited (kids get to come). Dress up events were few an far between. With six children, my parents did not have many evenings out without us along. We had some great picnics though!
My mother made most of my clothes, and my sister's too. I had one "store-bought" dress similar to this little plaid frock. The first time I wore it was to church, and halfway through the service I realized it was on backwardsI I thought it buttoned up the front! The only reason I figured it out was because another girl had on a similar dress near me, and hers buttoned up the back! Somehow that one got past my mother who was one for detail, but she got a good laugh out of it when we got home. 
Mom made us little coats like the blue one on the right. She was always making some new seasonal coat! How I wish I had a few of those cute things she made today.
