50s Hawaiian Dress - True Vintage or Reproduction

elvenom

elvenom

Registered Guest
Hi Everyone,

I have this Hawaiian wiggle dress and I'm a bit stumped as to whether it's true vintage or a reproduction. Homemade, the seams are pinked and the fabric and print all scream vintage to me, but the zipper (Talon) looks newer. I guess it could have been replaced at some point. The straps are velvet. I just want to be sure. Either way it's lovely. TIA!

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I vote repro Elvenom, because of that odd little black top-stitched trim across the bodice. The velvet straps are also odd: doesn't that make the dress dry clean only when it could be washed as a cotton? The construction is very simple too, much more modern than '50s. I also can't help thinking that they would have done a better job at centering the bodice seam back in the day.
 
I agree, also because of the trim across the bodice neck and the waist seam generally has more than one line of stitching, either when gathered to attach to the bodice for even spread or to finish the seam to prevent fraying, even when left just pinked elsewhere the waist is normally bound as it gets the most wear.
 
Thanks, ladies. Yep, the trim on the bodice is a bit suspect too. Appreciate the feedback. Thank you!
 
The print looks like a cotton version of Hawaiian Tapa cloth to me. I agree with Nicole that if it is from the 1950's that the centering of the fabric should be better - unless it was made by a very amateur seamstress. I also wonder if someone changed the straps and the trim piece on the bodice if/when they changed the zipper - maybe it was altered or the original straps broke. At first glance it does look like a 1950's Hawaiian dress - but of course since it's a classic style it could be much newer.
 
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