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Wonderful! Thank you: yes, the enormous shoulder pads were popular around the early '40s - not everyone wore them but Joan Crawford certainly did.

Interesting gown. I see a '40s metallic and silk lame' fabric (perhaps from the '30s) which was made into a dress with extended shoulder sleeves and drapery (stand up tucks) at the back of the skirt. Since then, it looks like perhaps the drapery has been undone slightly, perhaps to make the...

If anyone does know how to clean these, I'd love to know because my attempts have failed, although I like Ruth's idea of the make up wipes. Yes, I find these are usually from the late '50s to the late '60s. Personally I'd put yours into the '60s by the snake chain strap and the labels but...

Thanks Jonathan - it's such an amazing exhibition, perhaps you should come and see it in Melbourne? I'll be your personal tour guide if you like. It's simply extraordinary: everyone I know who's seen it has been more than once, there's so much to see. I was thrilled to go to the media launch...

It's an incredible exhibition Jonathan - here's my blog post about it and my shot of the croc bodice.

Melanie, I had a bit of trouble finding the label too: it's hard to read. They could be a little earlier too: the almond toe was popular in the late '70s and via google I couldn't find any '80s shoes this label - but I think it's safe to put them in the ballpark. I wonder what Jonathan thinks...

I'm getting more of a '70s feel from this one, from the style and labels but I'm not familiar with Mexican fashion. The toggle buttons look plastic, which suggests against a '40s-'50s date as I'd expect them to be wooden if it was that old.

I agree with Melanie: also, if you can't remove the ink, perhaps you can reverse the ribbon, and reapply the bow - so the stain is hidden on the inside.

I agree with Melanie on the dating: they're lovely but try as I might, I just couldn't see a way to put these into the '40s.

Yes, I agree with Joules - the wide flat bow was revived during the '80s on shoes. I had a few pairs around '86-88 - the pointed toe of the early '80s had softened into more of an almond shape and wide, low heels like this one were popular too, as was the colour. I found this obituary for...

Yes, label laws vary from country to country - in most western countries laws came in during the '70s requiring country of manufacture but even now, the detail is sometimes missing from small producers. The laws in Asian countries may well be different.

Hi AudreyH and welcome to the forums. These revival styles can be misleading: it's tempting to date on the style, but many styles come back again so it's best to look at the big picture - the fabric, labels, construction etc. For example, the hem is sewn with that clear nylon thread that was...