Can you please assist me in dating this dress?

furwise

furwise

VFG Vice President
VFG Past President
First, Thank you all for your willingness to help. The process of learning about vintage clothing is never ending and I give you all a lot of credit for knowing all that you know.

With that said, this dress is confusing me because I think it is from the 70s but the slight puff shoulders are a style from the 80s.
The indicators that make me think it is from the 70s is a union label that is in a Carnival strapless bra that is sewn in the dress which is all green, a nylon zipper with hook and eye closures at the neckline, and the thin polyester fabric.
Can you please take a look and tell me what era you think this dress is from?
Thank you in advance and below is the photos:

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Slight puff shoulders, like those of your gown, were popular in the 70s, as were the full sleeves. The bodice and skirt styles, though, do have an 80s' look to it.... I think that because wedding-gown styles generally didn't change as rapidly as mainstream fashion, you see various style details carried on across many years. I think your dress is 70s, but could be as late as early 80s.
 
Hi Anne, Thank you very much for your thoughts on this. I appreciate your words of wisdom. :)
 
Ha! I don't know how wise they are, but I worked in a bridal shop for a time, so have a particular interest in them. But I worked in one in the early 90s, so can't speak from personal experience on yours, other than being married twice and trying on oodles of gowns in the mid 70s, then again in the very late 80s/very early 90s. LOL!
 
Haha! That is too funny. You probably had a rocking wedding the second time around having the prior experience ;)
 
I know its a wedding dress but I can almost see DOlly Parton in it with BIIIIIIIIIIIG hair and a microphone singing her heart out! I agree it looks c. 1979-80 to me too
 
Haha Jonatahon. That is funny. I wish I had a Dolly Parton look alike to bring your vision to life. I think Dolly would like this dress.

By the way Jonathon, I don't know how many books you have but I ordered a book of yours a few days ago. I am looking forward to receiving it. :)

Here is a photo of the union label that makes me think pre 1974 which is sewn in the built in bra;

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That tag is from the bra, not the dress, so its likely the manufacturer had stacks of bras in storage that were more than few years old.

PS: thanks for buying my book!
 
That would solve my dilemma. Thanks Jonathan and you are welcome. I can't wait for your book to get here. :)
 
Remember the movie, Nashville, by Altman? The main character wore stuff like this all the time. That was released 1976.
 
Sorry to go somewhat off-topic, but is there a term for that type of neck beside high collar? Should I just search for Victorian blouse?

OP, great finds :)
 
I just want to add that that particular type of manufactured lace was popular in the early to mid 80's. The style of gown however was popular in the 70s...but I think the lace would be different on the 70's garments. I am specifically referring to the way this lace was manufactured, not the style of lace (that goes back 150 years). I am going with 80s on this one.

B
 
Hi Barbara, Thanks so much. I am offering this dress in the 1977-1989 category just to be safe. I am not sure if you will check back in but I was wondering if you have a book also.

Blacksheep, I am not certain if there is another name for this collar besides high collar..maybe someone else will answer. Thank you for the compliment though. I have been working hard finding good stuff and can seem to find it but I need to further my studies to learn more about it. I am so grateful for the folks here and I am fascinated with looking at and learning about everything from the past. Times have changed so much.
 
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