Paper Minis-Curious Fashion History

You read that right, paper mini dresses. These disposable fashion pieces were at their peak from 1966-1968. The style tended to all be the same: sleeveless, a-line dresses that ended above the knee. Although they are/were called "paper" dresses, these two or three wear garments weren't actually made out of real paper. Based on what Valerie Steele describes in her discussion of the garments with FIT, I would imagine the fabric to be similar to a kind of reusable plastic-y bag, not the nice canvas ones but a more flimsy one. Others have said it feels like hospital gown fabric. Steele says the fabric was non-woven and a mix of cellulose and cotton. 
I remember seeing one of the paper dresses from FIT's collection last year. It was their Campbell's Soup send away dress as part of the Faking It exhibit. Most paper dresses were used as ads and send away freebies.

The image to the left is from "Antiques Roadshow" and was appraised at $2000-$3000. Not bad for a dress that required $1 mailed to Campbell's along with one or two soup can labels (proof of purchase). 

The popular PBS show has had quite a few paper dresses on various episodes. Below are a few:

• Campbell's Soup
• Yellow Pages
• Two Dresses​

Political campaigns and bands such as the Beatles used these dresses as marketing and souvenirs. 
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It wasn't just these simple dresses though! Some men's fashion and other women's silhouettes were also advertised to the public. Check out this New York marketing event television advertisement: here
Or a British fashion advertisement for paper clothing on holiday.