VTG 1950s Lipstick Red Wool Pencil Skirt Passementerie Trim Mod Femme Fatale
What you’ll love about this 1950s Lipstick Red Wool Pencil Skirt is how it channels femme-fatale glamour, Old Hollywood sophistication, and bold mod color in one striking silhouette. The shade is a true lipstick red — crisp, vivid, and impossible to ignore — elevated by a rare red-and-green passementerie braid applique for a couture touch.
Condition:
Excellent vintage condition with no flaws noted. Clean, crisp wool, vivid color, and original quarter-taffeta lining intact. Side metal zipper functions perfectly.
Fit Snapshot:
Approximate modern size Medium — waist 29", hips 41", true hourglass pencil silhouette.
Provenance Note:
Unlabeled pieces like this were often boutique- or dressmaker-produced in the 1950s, when custom tailoring and small-run fashion houses were common. The passementerie applique indicates skilled hand-finish work typical of midcentury specialty ateliers.
Pop Culture & Screen Style References:
Evokes the sleek pencil skirts seen in Mad Men, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, How to Marry a Millionaire, and classic Rita Hayworth / Marilyn Monroe femme-fatale wardrobes.
Style Aesthetics:
🔥 femme fatale / old hollywood
📈 mod midcentury elegance
🌿 timeless classic wool
Styling Tips:
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Pair with a fitted black knit or bateau top for a Maisel-style silhouette.
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Add a cardigan and pumps for a polished 1950s office look.
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Style with a crop sweater and ankle boots for a modern retro fusion.
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Great for holiday looks — the passementerie detail gives subtle festive charm.
Measurements (inches, laid flat):
Waist: 29"
Hips: 41"
Total Length: 24"
Approx. Modern Size Conversion:
Best for a modern Medium (M). Check waist/hip ratio for best fit — classic hourglass cut.
Fit Guide:
Ideal for heights 5'2"–5'8" depending on desired hem position. Vintage wool pencil skirts typically sit at the natural waist and create a tailored, curve-hugging fit. Works beautifully on straight, hourglass, and pear silhouettes.
Fabric / Materials:
Wool (mid-weight), red taffeta quarter lining, side metal Talon-style zipper, hand-applied passementerie braid applique.
Sustainability Note:
Wearing midcentury wool keeps heirloom textiles in circulation and prevents high-quality natural fibers from entering the waste stream. True slow fashion.
Costuming CTA:
Costuming a film, theater, or creative project? Contact Miss Kitty — we have extensive vintage inventory not yet listed and can offer excellent bulk/volume discounts for productions. Perfect for midcentury sets inspired by Mad Men, Maisel, or 1950s noir.
