Can somebody help me date this dress?

[Athena]

I got this dress from an estate sale and I'm having a hard time dating it. It has a 1920s style but there's a zipper in the center back. The fabric is a velvet, possibly old silk velvet, it's heavy but also very thin and fragile. There are quite a few tears in the skirt, and some small holes. The thread used on the upper part of the dress seems to be a different color than the thread used on the zipper and skirt, maybe it was altered? And there is a strip of fabric at the bottom that has a lining while the rest of the dress does not.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

my first impression is that it most likely is an older piece (i'm getting more of a 1930s vibe from the skirt and draping) that was altered to make it easier to wear as a costume, whether it be for stage, or maybe for a Halloween costume. looks like it was an incredible dress in it's day.

 

[pastperfect2]

It certainly appears to be an early 1930s dress, 1930 - 31 ish, with the curved bust seam line and the uneven hem. I agree the zipper was added later, maybe in the 40s or 50s? If the velvet were strong enough, I would suggest it be removed and the back sewn up. But since there are holes and tears, I doubt you would be able to take it out without further damage.

Hollis

 

[Athena]

Thanks, I was actually thinking early 30's too when I first saw it, and I got some other things from the same sale that seem to be more of a 30's style. The dress is actually in pretty good condition, the tears are mostly along the seams and the holes are very tiny. I'm going to try to do a few other alterations so I might consider taking the zipper out if it seems easy enough.