30/40s or 70s?

[Tamzzyn]

Hi all

Picked up this dress and due to the style and construction I thought it was 30/40s (especially because of the way the puff sleeves fall); however many people are telling me this dress is from the 70s so now I'm confused. It's cotton, handmade and has a side metal zipper. Can anyone help me figure this out please? Thanks

 

[NylonNostalgia]

Couple of questions, Tamzzyn - has the zipper got a brand name? Does the dress have a label? If so, can we see both?

 

[Tamzzyn]

Couple of questions, Tamzzyn - has the zipper got a brand name? Does the dress have a label? If so, can we see both?

Hi The dress is handmade so no label. It has a metal talon zipper.

 

[NylonNostalgia]

You might want to rinse it through this...

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/a-guide-to-dating-talon-zippers-updated-and-revised.79464/

...not definitive for dating though, because if the dress is handmade then the zipper could have been re-used from a much older dress. Proceed with caution!

 

[Midge]

I know, home sewers can use older zippers and older techniques... but in general, the side zipper also points towards older. In the 70s the zipper would normally have been in the back. Let's see what others have to say, but my gut feeling, looking at the style and shape, says "older" as well .

 

[bycinbyhand]

I have sold these kinds of dresses before. They are 40s/50s square dance dresses. NOT 70s.

 

[Vinclothes]

My experience is the same as Cin's - usually 1950's square dance dresses.
Marian

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

I'm don't recall seeing a floor-length square-dance dress? (But I've no experience with square-dancing other than a six-week dance module in Phys Ed class!)
OP's dress definitely has that styling, however.
A 1940s square dance dress pattern:

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

I did find several images of floor-length dresses worn square-dancing.
Here's one (undated, unfortunately):
EDIT: This image is a postcard and Google found a used one that was posted in 1953.

 

[Tamzzyn]

Thank you all so much Definitely see 40/50s now.

 

[Vinclothes]

Square dancing was a big thing in my rural area. Somehow, I associate the bouffant petticoats with the shorter skirts. I am not sure if that would help in dating.
Marian