Dior bar jacket runway

The Dior Bar jacket, launched in 1947 in the New Look collection, revolutionized women's fashion with its silhouette featuring a tiny waist and full skirt.

About this subject

The Bar jacket is an emblematic haute couture piece, created by Christian Dior in his first collection, presented on February 12, 1947. The name "Bar" refers to the venue where clients could try on clothes, but also evokes the structured silhouette reminiscent of a bar counter. With its waist cinched by a fitted bodice and a flared skirt, the jacket symbolized a return to femininity after the war years, using about 20 meters of fabric for the skirt. It was crafted in silk shantung or wool, with soft shoulders and structured sleeves. Dior used taffeta lining for volume and impeccable finishing. The impact was immediate: Harper's Bazaar called it the "New Look," and the style dominated 1950s fashion. Each jacket required hundreds of hours of manual work, with specialized seamstresses for details like buttonholes and draping. The Bar jacket continues to be produced by the House of Dior, reinterpreted by designers such as John Galliano and Maria Grazia Chiuri, maintaining its relevance as an icon of elegance and structural innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Dior Bar jacket called that?

The name "Bar" comes from the venue where the collection was presented, but also references the silhouette that resembles a bar counter, with a tiny waist and full skirt.

How much fabric was used in the original Bar jacket?

The skirt of the Bar jacket required about 20 meters of fabric, such as silk shantung or wool, to create the characteristic volume of the New Look.

Is the Bar jacket still produced today?

Yes, the House of Dior continues to produce the Bar jacket, with reinterpretations by creative directors like John Galliano and Maria Grazia Chiuri, maintaining the classic design.