Buy Wiggle Dresses Online; Choose a Wiggle Pencil Dress for Vintage Inspired Style

So, what is a wiggle dress? 

The term wiggle dress is often used incorrectly to describe a sheath dress, and although the differences between the two are slight, there is a difference.

Wiggle dresses became highly popular during the latter part of the 1950's, and just like the dresses of the 1940's, were form fitting and intended to accentuate a woman's curves.

The wiggle dress, just as the sheath dress before it, was very fitted across the bust, waist and hips, but the wiggle dress was somewhat more daring in that the line of the dress ensured that it was just as fitted across the thighs and legs. Many women accesorised this stylish look by adding beautiful jewelry, or wearing fascinators and other charming hair accessories.

The defining feature of the wiggle dress, however, was that the hemline was narrower than that of the hips.

The length was also important, the hemline would usually fall just beneath the knee, and sometimes to the mid calf. This meant that even if the dress contained kick pleats or a small split, the wearer's knees remained rather close together, ensuring that she wiggled as she walked, hence the term 'wiggle dress.'

Pin up clothing refers to the clothing worn by female celebrates after the World War 11. These women were largely considered to be sex symbols, and images of them could be found on calenders and other advertising media.

Typically, pin up clothing was very feminine and in terms of design an hour glass shape. Pin up clothing also left something to the imagination; alluring, sensual but not too revealing. The wiggle dress, therefore, is the epitome of pin up clothing. Feminine and hour glass, but not scanty.

So, what's the difference between a wiggle dress and a wiggle pencil dress?

In terms of shape and lines, there isn't one. However, the term pencil is used to describe the shape of a skirt, which just like the wiggle dress is figure hugging with a hem that is narrower than the hips. 

Some wiggle dresses were designed to give the impression of two pieces; a pencil skirt and a blouse, when in fact the garment was just one piece. Hence the term wiggle pencil dress.

The hit TV series "Mad Men" has certainly put the spotlight back on to the wiggle dress. The character Joan Harris, as played by Christina Hendricks, is renowned for wearing this ever so sexy  dress.

This has certainly inspired today's designers. More and more wiggle dresses are finding their way onto the high street and into our wardrobes. No longer are designers producing dresses for the high street which only flatter one shape and size; skinny. 

Today's wiggle dresses are not only inspired by vintage chic, but reflect and enhance the shape of a healthy woman, as she should be, and not as portrayed by the tall, stick thin models in the glossy magazines. It's no wonder that the wiggle dress has yet again become a design favourite.