Girls’ Classic 1950s Shirt Dress ePattern

$9.95

This is a fun, easy-to-wear shirt dress pattern design for girls ages two to 16. My introduction to this classic shirt dress style was when I donned my first uniform in the 1970s as a “Brownie” in the Girl Scouts. I still remember that nut-brown dress with buttons marching down the front and its matching belt—and how special I felt wearing it. It was modeled on the 1940s shirt dress that emerged during WWII as a practical, utilitarian garment without frills that used less fabric but still had a distinctively feminine shape to it. As the style morphed over the coming decade, it became one of the most recognizable icons of fashion history, worn by everyone from glamorous Grace Kelly to thrifty TV housewife Donna Reed.

This is a fun, easy-to-wear shirt dress pattern design for girls ages two to 16. My introduction to this classic shirt dress style was when I donned my first uniform in the 1970s as a “Brownie” in the Girl Scouts. I still remember that nut-brown dress with buttons marching down the front and its matching belt—and how special I felt wearing it. It was modeled on the 1940s shirt dress that emerged during WWII as a practical, utilitarian garment without frills that used less fabric but still had a distinctively feminine shape to it. As the style morphed over the coming decade, it became one of the most recognizable icons of fashion history, worn by everyone from glamorous Grace Kelly to thrifty TV housewife Donna Reed.

The New Look ushered in fuller skirts and feminine frills, and, while the more angular look of the 1960s pushed it out of the limelight for a while, it was still a wardrobe staple on into the 1970s and right up to the present. My favorite versions, by far, come from the decade of the 1950s and have inspired this pattern with its fuller skirt.

  • All sizes from 2-16 included in one ePattern (note that this overlaps ladies’ sizes 6-12, so if you are petite, you can also use this pattern!)

  • Illustrated instructions make construction easy!

  • Bonus instructions in the appendix for creating a full-skirted crinoline petticoat.

  • Download the yardage chart for this pattern.

  • ePattern means instant download!

  • This pattern is rated experienced beginner, as a new seamstress will have little trouble putting it together (no zipper!).