Although they are now coming back in style, circle skirts were originally a 1950s phenomenon. Actress turned designer Juli Lynne Charlot is credited with their invention. It was her response to the New Look style that emerged after World War II. Charlote is also credited with the creation of the poodle skirt, sometimes used as a synonym for the circle skirt. She made one model out of felt decorated with poodles, and the fad caught on. However, the skirt could be made out of any fabric. See some fun examples here.
I have always associated circle skirts with teenagers because they are ones wearing them in catalogs, magazines, and old photos. However, my found photo shows that young women were not the only ones to try the style. It’s hard to guess the age of the woman depicted, in part because of the odd angle of the picture which favors her shoes over her face. Clearly, though, she is no young thing.
She is obviously dressed up, with fancy gloves, dressy shoes, and a big beaded necklace. Did her friends think she looked stylish, or did they whisper behind her back “mutton dressed as lamb.”
She needed new friends if anyone made that tacky mutton comment. Plus she looks terrific. I’m just sorry the picture isn’t in color!
Ceci
I was able to enlarge the photo enough to see that she doesn’t have an endless lantern jaw–it’s the lighting. From what I can tell she seems tall and slim so she’d rock that skirt. And the nifty choker necklace.
I think that style of circle skirt was fairly common and good for dancing in the 50s. My grandma definitely had a dress or two with that style of skirt and a special petticoat which held it out. Not so froufrou as younger women’s petticoats but certainly with a bit of a swish.