Caption from LIFE. "Giggling and fidgeting, early arriving guests wait self-consciously for party to begin. Numbered cards on dresses are for fashion show."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
In February 1952, LIFE magazine published the latest installment in its long-running “Life Goes to a [fill in the blank]” series, in which reporters and photographers would visit, say, a bee market in the Netherlands, a college joust in West Virginia or a “hex party” — with an eye toward casting black-magic spells on Adolf Hitler — in the Maryland woods.
Titled “Life Goes to a Little Ladies Party,” the February 1952 feature was, in some ways, quintessential LIFE, in both its approach and its attitude. The article and the pictures are sweet, although far from cloying — and they deliver the goods with a knowing smile, but without a hint of that laziest and dullest of all postures: snark.
This month [LIFE wrote], on her 9th birthday, Betsy Bingman of Dallas had a long-time wish fulfilled — she had a party to which only “ladies” were invited. Rhymed cards were sent out to 19 friends: “Borrow from your mother a long dress, hat and shoes. Be at my house on Saturday, primping as much as you choose.” As the guests arrived, dressed in high heels, big hats and furs, neighbors came out of their houses to watch. The party started off with a fashion show, with each lady whirling and showing off her dress for the cool appraisal of others. Prizes were awarded to those who were judged best-dressed. Then the guests played bunko and ate ice cream and cake. As the party progressed, the little ladies began kicking off their shoes (“they’re killing me”), hitching up their stockings (“are my seams straight?”) and tugging at their skirts so that by the time their parents arrived to chauffeur them home there was hardly a little lady who didn’t want to get back into more comfortable clothes and be a little girl again.
Caption from LIFE. "Giggling and fidgeting, early arriving guests wait self-consciously for party to begin. Numbered cards on dresses are for fashion show."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Sophisticated pose is affected here by Anne Roach, Betsy's cousin."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Blasé, 'like Rita Hayworth,' is the way Alice Perry won second prize."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Coy Carolyn Nance won first prize with pink dress, cape, ribboned hat."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. At a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Scene from a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Getting ready, Betsy has fingernails painted by mother. Her hair was lacquered later. In background, struggling with stockings, is her cousin Anne."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Scene from a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Scene from a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Birthday girl Betsy Bingman, 9, opens presents at a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Opening presents, Betsy holds up an apron. She likes to cook, sometimes makes gingerbread for her mother but more often muddies for friends."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Scene from a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Playing bunko at a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Bunko game, played with dice, was frequently interrupted with unladylike shouts of, 'Stupid, can't you add?' and 'If you can't keep score I'll do it.'"John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Birthday girl Betsy Bingman cuts the cake at a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Scene from a 'Little Ladies Party,' Dallas, 1952.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Party hostess, Betsy Bingman, dressed in her mother's old blue lamé dress and holding her grandfather's cane, strikes pose while waiting for her guests to arrive. Beauty spot was put on with eyebrow pencil. Behind her are dolls, picture books and little-girl books, all favorites of her childhood, before she became a lady."John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
