Baby Doll Dress Definition

Originally introduced by the provocative costuming in the 1956 film "Baby Doll," the baby doll dress has since maintained its popularity among women of all ages. The dress is most often worn in the summer months, when loose, comfortable dresses are desired.

History

Baby doll dresses were introduced in the 1950s as empire-waisted styles came back into vogue. The dresses were popular among young women who prized the novelty of looking young over the more adult styles their mothers and grandmothers wore.

Types

The term "baby doll" is used to refer to two different items of clothing that utilize the same silhouette. A baby doll can be a piece of sexy lingerie or a short day dress.

Identification

Baby doll dresses can be recognized by their tent-like silhouettes, hemmed short above the knee.

Features

Today, most baby doll dresses have an empire waist, though they can also have the classic tent shape, and can include any number of sleeve and neckline types.

Considerations

The baby doll dress gets its name from the fact that the silhouette was traditionally used in dresses only for infants and small children. Although the style is now well-accepted, originally the idea of dressing an adult woman like a child was quite scandalous.

References

• Fashion-Era.Com: The 1950s

Resources

• Baby Doll Film Synopsis