1930s or 1940s lace dress?

DaisyandStella

DaisyandStella

VFG Member
Hi all,
I have a beautiful embroidered net lace gown that I believe to be from the late 1930s.
My only hesitation is a hidden center middle front zipper closure - koverzip which looks like it trademarked in 1933.

Thoughts on era?

Thanks much! Brooke
 

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BrookeNault said:
Hi all,
I have a beautiful embroidered net lace gown that I believe to be from the late 1930s.
My only hesitation is a hidden center middle front zipper closure - koverzip which looks like it trademarked in 1933.

Thoughts on era?

Thanks much! Brooke
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention it is labeled as well. DSCF3898.jpg
 
Usually these garments with the extra long zips in are either dressing gowns or house coats/dresses. The section below the zip would have been sewn up unless your zip seperates. The zip sounds original though so I suspect someone altered it either to be more like a dress, or possibly from a dress into a dressing gown (I can't remember seeing one with a lace overlay, though others will know more about this than me). I would agree with 30's/40's.
 
Pinkcoke said:
Usually these garments with the extra long zips in are either dressing gowns or house coats/dresses. The section below the zip would have been sewn up unless your zip seperates. The zip sounds original though so I suspect someone altered it somewhat to be more like a dress. I would agree with 30's/40's.
Click to expand...

Thanks Melanie. The zipper does not separate at the end, however there's a big enough gap between both sections below the zip where I get the impression it would have not lay as nicely if it was originally sewn together. Maybe there was an additional piece of lace that was removed?
 
Looking at some adverts from 1937 (later than yours, as a lot of the examples have pointed collars) a full length garment with a long front zip and belt is described as a hostess gown, advertised with other dressing gowns/robes.

Do you have photographs of the hem, fabric edges below the zip, and of the bottom of the lining? (if this part of the same garment) They may have cut off the seam allowance after unpicking the seam, or sewn it back onto the fabric.
 
Pinkcoke said:
Looking at some adverts from 1937 (later than yours, as a lot of the examples have pointed collars) a full length garment with a long front zip and belt is described as a hostess gown, advertised with other dressing gowns/robes.

Do you have photographs of the hem, fabric edges below the zip, and of the bottom of the lining? (if this part of the same garment) They may have cut off the seam allowance after unpicking the seam, or sewn it back onto the fabric.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your research! Here are a few more pics.image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
 
I think I can see a line of stitch holes on the lining (about 1 1/2" up) where the bottom of the lace was originally attached. The amount of zip left free and unattached does suggest the fabric was originally sewn together up to this point, as you would normally cover the darker metal zip end with the fabric in a V-shape.
 
Hi Brooke,
Zippers were not in general use until the late 30's for womens dresses. The cotton lace embroidery was extremely popular in 36
as was the collar. I would think it was from 1936 to 1938.
A great book of 30's fashion is "Collectible Fashions of the Turbulent 1930s" Its by Ellie Laubner. The pricing is out of date but the pictures are fantastic
Tish
 
There was a brief period in the late 1930's when exposed zippers were considered fashionable and up to date. Someone else may be able to pinpoint the period better than I can.
Marian
 
The Kover Zip usually has the metal teeth covered in fabric, to match the garment - it's meant to be less visible, so I'm not sure if it would fit with the exposed zipper trend. I've seen a few, one in person and several in pictures. The earliest reference I found to them was 1934. It looks like this zip is the same, teeth covered in fabric? But I can't quite see.
 
Leonardo da Vintage said:
The Kover Zip usually has the metal teeth covered in fabric, to match the garment - it's meant to be less visible, so I'm not sure if it would fit with the exposed zipper trend. I've seen a few, one in person and several in pictures. The earliest reference I found to them was 1934. It looks like this zip is the same, teeth covered in fabric? But I can't quite see.
Click to expand...
Hi Ruth - yes the teeth are concealed on the outside with fabric.
 
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