1920s? 1930s?

[sMarie]

At first glance I thought this dress was 60s/70s and now I can see that it is not. Can you help me date it?

The dress is silk velvet.

It has long straight wide sleeves. The bust is 36" and the area that looks like an empire waist is 39"
In the pics my mannequin is filling out the bust so looks a little off, but I'm assuming it is supposed to just fall straight, so not exactly and empire waist...

There is shirring at the top of the sleeve/shoulder area.

The length is 47"

Also, what is this that kind of trim called? Lace? I used to know what it was called and I can't remember for the life of me!

There is a 8" opening in the back. I don't know if you would call this one a keyhole since it doesn't show any skin. The button is bare metal.

 

[sMarie]

a few more...

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

As you know, it is near impossible to date it accurately from just a few photos. From what I can see, it looks like an ethnic dress of some sort, perhaps Greek or Armenian. It could be 1960s or 70s as that was a popular style back then when folk dress was ultra hip. I am not seeing anything 1920s or 1930s in this garment. Ethnic garments can be from the home country or an adaption. Again, hard to determine when it was actually made without seeing it in person.

The trim I cannot see, so I don't know what to call it. Looks like soutache.

I love the color.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

Thanks for the added photos. Some of the embroidery looks hand done, very nice. Is the trim metallic?

 

[sMarie]

The color is a dark red maroon. The trim is gold metallic, yes.

I agree is appears ethnic. From where, I do not know. I am certain it is not 60's/70's. I can tell from handling it.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

I agree it looks older than 60s. The metallic braid is beautiful. I cannot even guess the date or exact country of origin, but it looks very Eastern European or Turkish, etc, hand sewn, and probably a regional ethnic costume for holiday/religious/formal wear.

 

[sMarie]

Thank you, Barbara. I am going to do some research on vintage/antique eastern european clothing.

Also, the more I look at the dress is natural light, I see that it is indeed a very dark purple.

 

[Midge]

Ethnic was my immediate thought. I'd go even a bit further than Eastern Europe - Turkey or further east. For a moment it reminded me a little of the traditional stuff I saw in Uzbekistan, but it's not quite that. It's just that they do like dark velvets with heavy gold or silver embroidery for traditional dress for special occasions like weddings.

Karin

 

[sMarie]

Thank you, Karin. Any information helps. I'm still searching. It's fun having a dress that's a bit of a mystery, but also very frustrating!

I found that palestinian clothing commonly had a higher waist line. I found this dress that is the of the same color and has gold embroidery. Of course, I also see the many differences, but I think it might be a clue.

 

[sMarie]

I found a few more clues. I am determined to find out what region this dress is from and the dating. I've been searing for hours each day.
I have found some similarities between this dress and european edwardian clothing. I have not found anything exactly the same. I did find a black coat from the 1920's that was similar, but also very different and more plain.

Some things the pre raphaelites wore reminds me of it as well. I found a few pieces from bulgaria that vaguely reminded me of this dress. I've attached a few pictures of what I am referring to. While I see the vast differences, I'm hoping that I'm getting closer. Or that it will jog someone's memory.

 

[sMarie]

I just found a dress that is the most similar to mine yet. I feel it is very, very similar. I found it for sale on ebay, but I know I cannot link it. It is an Ottoman Turkish Girls dress in the same color with gold soutache .

 

[sMarie]

UPDATE:

I noticed ottoman turkish embroidery uses the same design which is shaped like a spade. So, I am certain it is turkish. All of the dresses I am finding are 19th c - Mid to late 1800's and I am going to have to narrow it down. I just new it wasn't 1960's 0r 1970's. I am glad I did my research. In my evaluation, it is worth at least 1000 more than I would have charged for a 60's dress.

It looks like maybe it's called a bindalli. Here is another pic of a similar dress I found. I wish I could upload the ebay dress which is nearly exactly the same as mine.

It looks like Elizabeth Taylor had a 19th c purple velvet ottoman turkish gown in her collection that was recently sold at auction. Granted, it was way more impressive then mine, but still a cool coincidence.