Search results

Lovely dress. It would help if you could tell us more about it, but on the available information, it appears to be late 1940s in my opinion. Unusual shoulder treatment. Nicole

Thanks Maggie, I had a look for this label, because it's new to me too. Can't find anything in my usual sources but I did find one mention of the unusual surname in relation to clothing manufacturing: the City of Sydney has a document - '19/21 Buckingham Street Surry Hills. Use for the...

What do you want to know? I'm not sure if I can help but I'll do my best. Your Lycra tag appears to be in German (?), that's interesting. Maybe investigate if Jantzen made for the German market. My '70s Jantzens all have Jantzen labels as well as the diving girl, perhaps you could see if there...

I think it's '70s or even maybe '80s judging by the higher cut leg. It looks like a slightly out of date style for an older woman, as it has the sort of bust cups that were popular in the '60s-70s and the foam shape may have been cut out due to deterioration. If there's no other Jantzen...

What's the fibre content? Different fibres are used at different times. Nicole

They were still using hand-written labels like this in the early '90s. It's a basic technique used over a long period of time. Nicole

Karin and Ruth are right: samples are sample garments made up to show buyers (from other retailers or manufacturers). They were usually one offs, made as test garments for orders to be taken. Sometimes they weren't very well made, as the style is the thing, so the seams might be unfinished, and...

Lovely slips! They appear more '40s -50s to me. It's a classic style that was popular for quite a long time and '30s slips tend to be longer so I agree with your late '40s to early '50s dating. Nicole

Hi plousia, yes you're right: the older rayons are lovelier but they weren't very robust. Tend to shink and/or rip when laundered, or needed dry cleaning. They changed the recipe in the '50s so modern rayons are stronger, can be machine washed but aren't as nice. I do love the older rayons...

1972 Laura Ashley ADDED TO THE LR 2-24-25, THANKS NICOLE! Nicole

Yes, more photos would help - along with photos of any other labels (care etc) but the presence of a multi-size label suggests that it's more recent than 1970s. I don't know when they were introduced but I didn't see them until about 1991. If you look at the label resource, you'll see this...

Thanks Karin, you're right: it's a big name in Melbourne outerwear, or was. From the sizing label it originates from between about the late '70s to the late '80s. Nicole

Home made, agreed it's fairly modern. If it had large armscyes (armholes) and wide or dropped shoulders I'd go with '80s but it looks like it doesn't so I'll suggest more recent. Looks like a crinkle silk georgette. Someone's put a lot of love into this. Nicole

Thank you for sharing this sad news. Claire was an extraordinary woman: I was privileged to meet her a few times when she came to Australia, notably for the Ring Cycle opera and I found her to be lovely, kind and generous with sharing her expertise. She was a world expert in her field and...

Thanks for the photos: suspect the skirt is on the wrong way and should be swiveled 90 degrees - so the seams are down the side, not front and the zipper is at centre back, not side. Likely had a matching jacket originally. Skirts got shorter into the early '90s so you can often help date by the...

I concur with Jen about the usefulness of garment photos for dating but note that the label is listed in the VFG LR as appearing on a late '80s to early '90s label. The other labels and swing tag are consistent with this. Perhaps the season code on the swing tag '88H' translates as '1988 Hiver...

Nice coat. I note that many companies produced designer logo lining, so without additional evidence, I do not accept these fabrics as indications of authenticity. In the '80s they were being offered for sale in Bali marketplaces. Nicole

I also associate them with the mid to late '90s, although they were still being made in the early 2000s. They were so comfortable that in the local goth scene, we called them 'goth pyjamas'. I had several (all in black of course). Nicole

Childrenswear can be tricky to date because it often sways towards older, conservative styles so I go by the labels and construction. The detailed labels give you lots of information, I can't read all of it but I remember that style of large paper, very informative label coming in during the...

Another vote for early 1940s, I'd put it about '41-42ish. Nicole

Jantzen, late 1930s swimsuit. Nicole ADDED TO THE LR 1-17-25, THANKS NICOLE!

Hi everyone, this label is already in the LR as being from a 1960s cocktail dress, but I have it in an early 1950s strapless evening gown. Downloaded for the LR 1/17/25 Thanks, Nicole! Nicole

Back in the day, we just called them however many holes they had for laces (ten holes etc) but they seem to have proper names now, or maybe they always did and we just didn't know better? These have side zippers but look similar. Nicole

I vote for determining fibre, maybe a burn test? A nylon will not be any earlier than post-war. Personally, I associate these styles with the small square collar as being late '40s to early '50s. Size and shape of shoulder pad can help determine age. Nicole

Thanks everyone, this is a great thread. I'm about to start a doctorate on post-war European/Australian fashion manufacturing and cross-cultural influences. The Dior NY label is very relevant and I will be doing an object analysis of a 1950s Dior NY cocktail dress in my collection, as well as...

Hi Trudstar, and welcome to the forums. It looks like Leesa Fashions are still going, with a shop in Pitt St - but I note their website doesn't seem to be working currently. There's some info here. Also a Camperdown address, perhaps their head office. They've been in business about 35 years...

I have a nice reversible quilted '40s dressing gown with a Diana Dean label - I note that although the label is not included in the LR, there is this useful thread here on the designer, if someone wanted to create a listing for it. It's similar to the label in that thread, but the garment is...

Hi all, I have a 1950s dress with a Teena Paige label, that's slightly different to the ones in the LR: it doesn't have the 'registered' mark. Here she is: It's a fitted dress with a ruched cumberbund style waistband, and short sleeves. The fabric is a lovely multi-coloured embroidery on...

Agree with Jonathan: these simple, shift-style shirt dresses with small collars date to about 1982-83, Lanvin is a good label so might be a little earlier but I wouldn't expect it to be by much: say 1980-82. Nicole

Hi Sara, and welcome to the forums. I would take to a specialist dry cleaner or textile conservator that is experienced in such things: if they can identify the cause of the stain they can apply the right treatment. I'm sorry to report that it maybe hard or impossible to remove. Other options...