Bonwit Teller Gown -- 1950s?

[TinyBee]

Hi all,

I'm having trouble dating this lovely gown. The only tag is a Bonwit Teller tag, and since it has 'Boston' on the tag, I believe it must be from after 1947, as that's when the Boston store opened. The style feels later, but the construction feels very 1950s? It has a side metal zipper (Talon). The lining seems synthetic, the outer /may/ be silk chiffon but may also be synthetic.

I'd appreciate any help with dating the piece, and any pointers toward similar items / how to price, as I'm struggling to find anything similar!

Thanks.

 

[claireshaeffer]

I'm not the best person for dating, but I'm probably the only one who was a teen-ager in the fifties.
The dresses I had were strapless and fitted at the waist with full skirts of lace or net.
The Bonwit Teller label indicates a better than average garment and the dress is much more sophisticated than mine.

 

[Ranch Queen Vintage]

What a lovely gown! The colors are dreamy. What material is the rosette and trim detail made of? Is it beaded? I can't tell.
By the way it drapes, it appears to be a silk chiffon with a rayon or acetate lining.
Late 1940s to early 1950s is what I'm thinking.

Would you grant us permission to add this label to our Label Resource?

 

[claireshaeffer]

Marsha, your response was very helpful for me to see how mid-fifites designs had changed from late 40s to early fifties. Thank you. C

 

[TinyBee]

What a lovely gown! The colors are dreamy. What material is the rosette and trim detail made of? Is it beaded? I can't tell.
By the way it drapes, it appears to be a silk chiffon with a rayon or acetate lining.
Late 1940s to early 1950s is what I'm thinking.

Would you grant us permission to add this label to our Label Resource?

I apologize for the delay in response. Yes, please feel free to add to the Label Resource!

It seems to be entirely synthetic. I would say the lining is probably acetate. The chiffon /could/ be silk, but I'm not sure? The rosettes and the bodice are made with tiny glass seed beads and sequins, that have unfortunately greyed with age.

 

[Ranch Queen Vintage]

I apologize for the delay in response. Yes, please feel free to add to the Label Resource!

It seems to be entirely synthetic. I would say the lining is probably acetate. The chiffon /could/ be silk, but I'm not sure? The rosettes and the bodice are made with tiny glass seed beads and sequins, that have unfortunately greyed with age.

If you can snip a bit of the seam allowance in a non-conspicuous place, you can perform a fiber burn test. It will determine whether it's natural, synthetic or a blend.

Here's the one I use - I like it because it's color-coded - but there are many others on the Internet.

How would you like to be credited for the Label Resource?