50's (?) long silk dress, please help with dating

[essbyess]

Hello, can you please help me determine the age of this dress? It seems quite old, and the fabric is definitely natural silk. It fastens with hooks. The seams and interior appear old. I believe it's likely a Tyrolean dress. Do you think it could be from the 1950s? Thank you in advance

 

[essbyess]

I've searched the internet for dresses from Tyrol, but I haven't found anything similar, so I'm not convinced about its origin. However, based on the seams and fastening, I still think it could be from around the 1950s. Unfortunately, I don’t know where to look for information about it.

 

[Midge]

I would call it a festive dirndl-style dress (dirndl is the kind of dress you mean) or a festive dress influenced by dirndl styles. A real, traditional dirndl would not be a one-piece dress but usually consist of a blouse, bodice, skirt and apron. The front-opening though is definitely a strong nod to dirndl styles. If it were just a normale festive dress, I don't think it would have that front opening. Your dress looks to be beautifully made - either by a seamstress, or by a very talented home sewer.

The challenge with dating home-made or seamstress-made dirndls and dirndl-influenced dresses is dating them, as they are based on traditional styles. I don't see your dress as 50s - in dirndl patterns, photos etc. from the 50s I really see still the traditional blouse/bodice/dress/apron combo, and for 60s or 70s it just doesn't look right either... To me it feels more like 80s and 90s, when you also see more fashion influence coming to dirndl styles. My mom bought the Burda magazines all through the 80s and 90s and I always looked at them. They often featured dirndls or styles adapated from them, as they became more of a fashion item, and your dress reminds me more of those.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

My impression is 1980s as well.

 

[essbyess]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with me and taking the time to explain your perspective. I am surprised that the dress is not as old as I suspected; after all, I was off by 30 years However, I appreciate and admire your expertise. Thank you for sharing it with me, and I trust that the history of the dress is as you described. I still have much to learn

I would call it a festive dirndl-style dress (dirndl is the kind of dress you mean) or a festive dress influenced by dirndl styles. A real, traditional dirndl would not be a one-piece dress but usually consist of a blouse, bodice, skirt and apron. The front-opening though is definitely a strong nod to dirndl styles. If it were just a normale festive dress, I don't think it would have that front opening. Your dress looks to be beautifully made - either by a seamstress, or by a very talented home sewer.

The challenge with dating home-made or seamstress-made dirndls and dirndl-influenced dresses is dating them, as they are based on traditional styles. I don't see your dress as 50s - in dirndl patterns, photos etc. from the 50s I really see still the traditional blouse/bodice/dress/apron combo, and for 60s or 70s it just doesn't look right either... To me it feels more like 80s and 90s, when you also see more fashion influence coming to dirndl styles. My mom bought the Burda magazines all through the 80s and 90s and I always looked at them. They often featured dirndls or styles adapated from them, as they became more of a fashion item, and your dress reminds me more of those.

I would call it a festive dirndl-style dress (dirndl is the kind of dress you mean) or a festive dress influenced by dirndl styles. A real, traditional dirndl would not be a one-piece dress but usually consist of a blouse, bodice, skirt and apron. The front-opening though is definitely a strong nod to dirndl styles. If it were just a normale festive dress, I don't think it would have that front opening. Your dress looks to be beautifully made - either by a seamstress, or by a very talented home sewer.

The challenge with dating home-made or seamstress-made dirndls and dirndl-influenced dresses is dating them, as they are based on traditional styles. I don't see your dress as 50s - in dirndl patterns, photos etc. from the 50s I really see still the traditional blouse/bodice/dress/apron combo, and for 60s or 70s it just doesn't look right either... To me it feels more like 80s and 90s, when you also see more fashion influence coming to dirndl styles. My mom bought the Burda magazines all through the 80s and 90s and I always looked at them. They often featured dirndls or styles adapated from them, as they became more of a fashion item, and your dress reminds me more of those.