30's or 40's on this black velvet dress...

[ehappy]

30\'s or 40\'s on this black velvet dress...

Why, oh, why is black velvet attracted to me? I can't take pictures of it to save my life, but I sure can't pass these dresses up! It's a longer length (comes to mid calf on my 5.10 manni gal). Black velvet. Side metal zip. Tear drop cut outs in the back. Empire-ish waist. Corded trim around the bust and collar. Slit in the front to the top of the kneecap. Ruched sleeves. Tiny shoulder pads. What do you think...30's or 40's? Thanks!

<img src=http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/ehappyvintage/a085.jpg>

<img src=http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/ehappyvintage/a087.jpg>

<img src=http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/ehappyvintage/a091.jpg>

<img src=http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/ehappyvintage/a092.jpg>

<img src=http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/ehappyvintage/a090.jpg>

 

[thevintagebungalow]

That's beautiful Angie! My first impression of this is 30s. There will be others along soon who can give you a better idea.

 

[ehappy]

Thanks Carrie! It is beautiful I wish I had a stick straight and ultra tall body to carry it off.

 

[thevintagebungalow]

Originally posted by ehappy
Thanks Carrie! It is beautiful I wish I had a stick straight and ultra tall body to carry it off.

Don't we all!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

What a killer frock! I'd put it right about 1939-40, maybe early 40s. Very nice

 

[ehappy]

Thanks you nicole

I wonder what would be the best way to tell what kind of velvet it is? It's really smooth and soft, really just divine and it drapes really well...

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Probably rayon. Silk velvet of this is era is denser and feels like butter....mmm....butter.....

 

[laughingmagpie]

That's a lovely dress! I just adore velvet.

I've got a question about vintage velvet - these days when you see "silk velvet" it usually means the backing is silk and the pile is rayon (including nice quality). Was it more common to see 100% silk velvet in the past? If it's a vintage rayon velvet, was it made with silk backing like today's or would it more commonly be 100% rayon?

I can venture an answer on how to test the fabric, ehappy - if there's a seam allowance or facing you could take a sample from, you could take a piece and try separating the pile from the backing and then burn testing them separately.

Alternatively, there's a product called Fiber Etch that is an enzyme that eats away at plant fibers (cotton, rayon) but not at animal proteins (silk, wool). So if you had a 100% rayon fabric, and you put a drop of this on, it would eat a little hole right through. If the pile is rayon, while the backing is silk, it'll eat only the fuzz off and leave the backing (so you can use it to make 'burn out' designs). If it's 100% silk, it won't eat anything.