Vogue Special Design S-4490: 1950s Misses Dress 32 B Vintage Sewing Pattern
Original 1954 Vogue Special Design Pattern No. S-4490 – One-Piece Dress and Bolero
Original 1954 Vogue Special Design Pattern No. S-4490 for a tailored women's dress and bolero ensemble. A slim skirt with a released pleat at center back and concealed side-front pockets joins the bodice at the waistline, finished with button trim on the front tab extension and dropped-shoulder armholes. The collarless bolero has three-quarter sleeves joined to matching dropped-shoulder armholes. Complete Nice Used Condition. Please note: the original Special Design fabric label is not included with this pattern.
Quick Facts
- Pattern Number: Vogue Special Design No. S-4490
- Year: 1954
- Garment: One-Piece Dress and Bolero
- Size: 14 (32" Bust, 35" Hip)
- Condition: Complete Nice Used
- Special Design Label: Not Included
Design
Vogue's Special Design line offers this dress and bolero pairing with a slim skirt shaped by a released center-back pleat and side-front darts that conceal working pockets. The bodice front closes with button-trimmed tab detail, and dropped-shoulder armholes give the sleeve line a relaxed, structured drop. The collarless bolero echoes that same dropped-shoulder construction with three-quarter sleeves, making a versatile pairing suited to taffeta, faille, wool crepe, or shantung.
A Moment in Fashion History
A matching dress-and-bolero set was a hallmark of 1954's polished daytime dressing, letting a single ensemble move gracefully between a sleeveless summer look and a more covered, tailored silhouette with the bolero added. Vogue's Special Design designation marked this as a step above the standard line, evident in details like the dropped-shoulder armhole construction shared between both pieces.
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 Vogue pattern envelope.
Connections
This pattern is part of our ongoing exhibit, Always in Vogue — a growing collection celebrating the fashion-forward spirit of Vogue's home sewing patterns. Come take a look.
