Made in Chelsea, circa 1950s

madeinchelsea41

It’s debutante season for mid-century London’s high society and Life magazine was on the scene to capture all the tea drinking and social climbing at its finest. I found this set of undated photos in the magazine’s archives which follows a group of well-to-do English debutantes as they attended the various la-di-da events of the social calendar including Ascot, Henley, Wimbledon and Spring debutante balls. Judging by the ladies’ style of dress, I’m guessing we’re time travelling back to the late 1950s…

madeinchelsea46

madeinchelsea37

Nowadays, the Chelsea set are followed around by television cameras for a popular reality show everyone loves to hate called “Made in Chelsea”. And despite half a century going by, it doesn’t seem like tradition has changed all that much in London’s high society.

Although, the party dresses were arguably better… darling.

madeinchelsea17

madeinchelsea22

madeinchelsea39

madeinchelsea43

madeinchelsea32

madeinchelsea31

madeinchelsea13

madeinchelsea11

madeinchelsea5

madeinchelsea3

madeinchelsea2

madeinchelsea42

madeinchelsea33

madeinchelsea23

madeinchelsea21

madeinchelsea16

madeinchelsea30

madeinchelsea7

madeinchelsea4

madeinchelsea1

madeinchelsea35

madeinchelsea26

madeinchelsea14

madeinchelsea6

madeinchelsea45

madeinchelsea29