McCall's 5131: 1950s Rare Pauline Trigere Evening Gown Sz 34B VTG Sewing Pattern
1959 McCall's Pattern No. 5131 - Designer Sheath Dress by Pauline Trigère
1959 McCall's Pattern No. 5131, a sleeveless sheath dress designed exclusively for McCall's by Pauline Trigère, offered in two lengths. View A is a floor-length gown with a front slit skirt; View B is a shorter, cocktail-length version with a curved cutaway front hem. Both share a wide, curved neckline that dips to a low V at the back, princess-seamed bodice, and a fringe-ended sash with wire stays. Complete Nice Condition.
Quick Facts
- Pattern Number: McCall's No. 5131
- Year: 1959
- Garment: Sleeveless Sheath Dress, Two Lengths
- Size: 14 (34" Bust, 26" Waist, 36" Hip)
- Condition: Complete Nice Condition
- Designer: Pauline Trigère, designed exclusively for McCall's
Design
Pauline Trigère's design for McCall's 5131 is a study in disciplined sheath dressing. The wide, curved neckline is faced and interfaced to hold its shape, dipping dramatically into a low V at the back, while princess seaming through the bodice keeps the fit close without darts. The four-gore skirt takes small unpressed pleats at the waistline, front and back, before narrowing into the sheath's signature slim line - View A extending to a full-length gown with a front slit for movement, View B cut to a shorter, cocktail-appropriate length with a curved cutaway front hem. A fringe-ended sash with zig-zag wire stays cinches the waist and holds its own sculpted shape rather than simply tying flat.
A Moment in Fashion History
By the end of the 1950s, the sheath silhouette had become a defining shape for both daytime and eveningwear, prized for its clean, body-skimming line. Pauline Trigère, already an established name in American ready-to-wear design, brought her structural eye for princess seaming and sculptural detail to this exclusive McCall's collaboration, giving home sewers direct access to a designer's construction techniques - the wired sash alone reflecting the kind of engineered finishing usually reserved for couture workrooms.
Illustration
The cover illustration has been digitally restored and enhanced by Judy Yates to highlight the original fashion artwork while preserving the character and artistry of this historic McCall's pattern envelope.
Connections
This pattern is part of our ongoing exhibit, Pillbox and Polish - a growing collection tracing the bridge between 1950s structure and 1960s youth culture. Come take a look.
