Alexander Clare dress

P

posygowns

Registered Guest
Please, some thoughts on this dress that I bought at a UK charity shop - although it was marked as 1950s, it only cost £10 (US$18) so I sort of wondered....the label suggests old though - "fashioned by ALEXANDER CLARE Made in England". No size or fabric labels. Feels silky (but not silk). Waist has a sort of elasticated seam.Huge swirly skirt cut in 1950s style absolutely; V neck back with zip and hook and eye. Looks handmade (have tried to photograph a seam) as you can see the Vs to match up the seams, and the hem looks handstitched. IMG_2349.jpgIMG_2351.jpgIMG_2352.jpgIMG_2356.jpg
 
First I have to say I would never believe what was written on a charity shop label alone- you have to find evidence in the garment design itself to back the dating up.
I would expect a woven label in most 50's garments with curly handwriting style font, yours is printed and the straight style font with capital letters looks late 70's to 80's which matches the period of the dress, all the similar styled 50's dresses I have had were fixed gathered waists, not elasticated which is a popular 70's/80's feature.
The V's cut into the seam edges are to allow curving of the seam. The label would suggest it was manufacturered for retail and not homemade, the hem could have been re-done by the owner at a later point.
Is the fabric a stretch jersey?
 
Thanks both of you :) :)that confirms my (inexpert) thoughts that it was from much later. Hadn't connected what the Vs in seams were for though,:oops: thanks for that. Polyester feels right as the fabric though it does feel stretchy, Pinkcoke. I bought it to wear, not to collect, so am not disappointed about it being wrongly labelled,:( price suggested more modern.
 
posygowns said:
Please, some thoughts on this dress that I bought at a UK charity shop - although it was marked as 1950s, it only cost £10 (US$18) so I sort of wondered....the label suggests old though - "fashioned by ALEXANDER CLARE Made in England". No size or fabric labels. Feels silky (but not silk). Waist has a sort of elasticated seam.Huge swirly skirt cut in 1950s style absolutely; V neck back with zip and hook and eye. Looks handmade (have tried to photograph a seam) as you can see the Vs to match up the seams, and the hem looks handstitched. View attachment 3317View attachment 3318View attachment 3319View attachment 3320
Click to expand...
Hi, i know this post is 2 years old but did you ever find information about your dress? I bought my alexander clare dress in 1981 to wear at the evening of my wedding. It cost £50! I do not know anything about alexander clare though and cant find anything. Lorraine
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top