1950s or 1960s Ann's Vogue Shoppe

EndlessAlley

EndlessAlley

Alumni
Would you list this Ann's Vogue Shoppe gown as 50's or 60's? Most of the Ann's I've seen are from the 60s, but this neckline reminds me of 1950s. Dress also has a metal back zipper.

Also the winter white lace has yellowed a bit, though not unattractively. If someone wanted a "vintage look" to their gown, this would do the trick. Was wondering if I should try to "whiten" and if so what would be the best way to go about it. Would dry cleaning be safe for the sequins?

Thanks for your help and happy 2012 to all! :drinkingtoast:
Alice

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My images are not the best. Sorry it's so overcast here in Ohio. Should I re-shoot or provide additional details?
I know I ask a lot of questions on this form and am very grateful for your help. I look forward to the time when I can help with answers and not just asking questions.
 
Hi, I would recommend you show larger or zoomed-in photos of the stained/damaged areas you are talking about as they are not visible in the current ones.
Also, have you tried putting a petticoat underneath to see if may have been worn with one? It depends how much fabric there is in the skirt. This may enhance the shape if it was from the 50's.
 
Such a pretty dress! Is the yellowing on the lace pretty consistent throughout--no big blotches or areas of distinct unevenness? If that's the case, I would leave as is. I agree to try it with a long petticoat underneath--that will help to determine what its "designed shape" is. And last, is that a dropped, seamed waistline on it, or a "nipped-in" non-seamed waist? I can't tell from the photo.... My new glasses are in but I haven't had time to go get them! LOL....

Without seeing it with a fuller slip under it and being able to view larger photos, off the top of my head I'd say late 50s or a 50s/60s cusper. No Union label or signs of one having been there?
 
I would say earlier 50s, it has a shelf bust styling and with the dropped waist and that little double tab feature (pseudo-peplum) don't know what to call that back feature, I've seen it many times,often on 40s garments.
just stumped as to what it is called.

Are they sequins or rhinestones? It's difficult to see them in the photo. You have to be careful with either or. The very old sequins are gelatin and will melt and if they are rhinestones and have metal backing that could tarnish.

Sometimes leaving something out in the sunshine can help to whiten it.
 
If that's a dropped waist seam I'm seeing, I'd definitely agree with earlier than late 50s. But, since bridal fashions often weren't exactly "fashion forward," I would say mid 50s rather than early 50s.
 
Stopped at a long established dry cleaners and they said they would not dry clean but would try to soak, but there would be a risk of damage to sequins and possible rusting of the metal zipper and could not guarantee that the soaking would remove the yellowing, so except for sunshine, I will leave as is. The dress is a winter white and the yellowing is not really an issue except it's a bit more pronounced at neckline. (I have enhanced attached image). Neckline is really the only place I wish I could lighten a bit.

I placed a petticoat under dress (mine is not full length though) and it really made a lovely difference - good idea! Dress does have a dropped waist seam except for the front which is a panel. Thank you for all your information and good suggestions!

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Alice, if you can find a long bridal petticoat at a local thrift, you might want to pick it up to put under this. It does make a great difference! I see the neckline now. What is the lining made of? You "might" want to try spot cleaning the neckline area but only very gently and only with something you've had success with before (you don't want to experiment on this one!), taking care to not get the sequins wet. If you try the sunshine method, which I agree works, I'd fold or bag the dress such that the dress is exposed to the light at the worst of the yellowing--if the lighter areas lighted up, too, you'll still be left with the same problem....
 
Thanks Ann for the suggestions. The lining is a synthetic. I've never "messed" with lace before so I probably won't try anything. Was wondering, will a sunny "winter" day work, or do I need to wait until summer?
 
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