history A-line
‘A-line’ was the name of a specific spring 1955 collection but soon came to denote a general silhouette – resembling the capital letter A – that was being adopted by several leading Paris designers. The style was especially popular from its launch until the mid-1970s. A-line skirts usually have a high waistline and are fitted over the hips with seams or darts before widening towards the hem; an A-line dress flares from a fitted shoulder line, often ending just above the knees.
History A-line
The A-line was the most influential of a series of mid-1950s couture collections that all departed from the outdated post-war silhouette by de-emphasising the waist in favour of cleaner lines and a more casual and practical look.
‘A-line’ was the name of a specific spring 1955 collection but soon came to denote a general silhouette that was being adopted by several leading Paris designers. The style was especially popular from its launch until the mid-1970s. It is characterised by smooth shapes with narrow shoulders and an undefined waist, resembling the capital letter A.
An A-line skirt usually has a high waistline and is fitted over the hips with seams or darts before widening towards the hem; an A-line dress flares from a fitted shoulder line, often ending just above the knees. Both are highly structured garments, often cut in one piece and sewn without pleats or slits, with a pronounced triangular shape.