The next morning, Kitty watched the sun rise over the falls, an impressive sight. Then she put on her very best “garden party” dress with a matching lace hat and left the hotel. NOTE: This is the second part of Flat Hitty and Kitty’s trip to Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada (see “Niagara Falls Part 1”).
Kitty and Flat Hitty met up at Tim Hortons for some coffee and doughnuts (yum!), before heading to their destination.
The girls went to the Niagara Falls History Museum to see a special exhibit called, “It’s My Party: 1950s Women’s Fashion Exhibit.” The temporary exhibit was created by the Wedding and Fashion Museum (on display through September 21, 2025).
Nothing says “1950s” like a poodle skirt and saddle shoes!
Kitty loved seeing all the vintage fashions. She decided to pose with these two gorgeous dresses in green, her favorite color.
Another view of the green dresses in the exhibit.
The decade of the 1950s ushered in a new femininity that had been lacking in wartime fashions of the 1940s. Skirts became full and frothy with layers of tulle, like this lovely pink prom dress.
The Bar Suit by Christian Dior debuted in 1947 and was labeled the “New Look.” Dior rose to prominence in the 1950s. To this day, the Dior brand exudes luxury and elegance.
The unique and modern 1950s style also extended to furniture and decor. Flat Hitty got into the spirit of the decade by posing with the models.
Kitty admired this pink silk sheath gown with beaded embroidery by Spanish designer, Balenciaga.
This elegant wedding dress with a large hoop skirt was worn in 1959. Both the bride and groom came from prominent families in the Niagara Falls area.
Hats were an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe in the 1950s, and they came in all colors, shapes and sizes. Elsa Schiaparelli was an Italian designer who specialized in unconventional designs and bright colors like ”Shocking Pink.” Her greatest rival was Coco Chanel.
That’s the end of our Niagara Falls visit. We had a great time and hope you did, too.
