Assistance With Dating this Dress - 30s or 40s?

Q

QVintage

Registered Guest
Hello all!

I would love your help dating this piece. At first glance, I thought "well, this is clearly 40s," but now, I'm not so sure.

There is no metal zip, closes with hook/eyes and buttons only.

I've included many photos and a shot of the seams.

I'm working so hard at improving my dating skills, but I know the real secret is time and experience. I'd love also please any dating resources/books you've found helpful.
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I so appreciate your time and input. Thank you.
 
Does it have shoulder pads? The hem seems very wide, where would the skirt fall on a person of average height? Interesting dress.
Marian
 
Rue_de_la_Paix said:
Could be late 1930s. Love to see it on a real person or dress form. And know the length. I like the way the skirt is styled. Material looks like a rayon crepe or silk crepe.
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Hey here it is on me, it's pretty long and I'm 6 feet tall! (Ignore my pretentious expression!)
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I'd also love to hear if yall think it's on backwards, as I struggled with that decision myself. Only reason I did place the buttons in front was because on what I'm wearing as the back, there's a line across the middle of the upper back (or chest, if backwards) that looked out of place.

Thank you all so much!
 
vivavintageclothing said:
Any chance that it is on your mannequin backwards? It looks like it could be the case, if the draped section is intended to be more like a peplum/bustle. It does look circa late 1940s, to me, especially is the draped section is meant to be at the back.
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Thank you so much for your response -- I posted another picture of me actually wearing it in this thread, I'd so appreciate your input on the "is this backward or not" vote -- I too struggled with that.
 
Vinclothes said:
Does it have shoulder pads? The hem seems very wide, where would the skirt fall on a person of average height? Interesting dress.
Marian
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Hi there, thank you for your help. There are no shoulder pads, and on me (6 feet) the skirt falls below the knee, mid-calf. On a more normal sized woman (lol) it would maybe be at or close to ankle length.
 
Midge said:
I'd put the buttons and bustle-like thing in the back too. Happened to me with a 30s dress... wore it back to front because I thought that the buttons should go in the front. Wore it to work like that :hysterical:.
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Thank you so much! Personally I think it looks fun both ways but obviously don't want to misrepresent it on a professional level. I think the general consensus is that I have it on backward. So appreciate the input!
 
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