This pretty vintage dress most likely dates to the late 1940s although it lacks the padded shoulders typical of that era. It features a striking novelty print and is in a hard-to-find larger size. The bodice is shaped with soft shirring at the shoulders, and wrapped front panels that gather into the princess seaming a few inches above the front waist seam.The swingy skirt has a total of seven sections - six of them are actually extensions of the princess seaming in back and along the sides, while the front section has a waist seam to separate bodice from skirt. The last photo shows the dress unpinned.
SIZE: No size label. The bust measurement can go a bit bigger because of the wrap front.
Measurements | Inches | Cm |
Bust | 47 " | 119.5 |
Waist | 37" | 94 |
Hips | 46" | 117 |
Bodice length from shoulder seam | 18" | 45.5 |
Skirt length | 23.5" | 59.5 |
Sweep | 59" | 150 |
FABRIC/COLORS: The fabric is a lightweight jersey knit, most likely rayon based on a fiber burn test. The print is of feathers and flowers - the feathers are done in three different shades of purple and silvery gray, while the tiny flowers are rendered in three different shades of brown with dark red centers, all on a navy blue background.
TAGS: No tags at all - I believe this was custom sewn.
CLOSURES: No closures - the dress is designed to slip on over the wearer's head, which is important to keep in mind when considering measurements.
CONDITION: I have reinforced some of the shirring threads that were loose at the shoulders. I found a pinhole in the lower front skirt. No other issues noted.