Cheongsam - Vintage or Repro - how to tell???

A

AnyDayNow

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I have a red silk Cheongsam that I believe is vintage 50's but what should I look for in it to point to 50's vs repro/modern. It is silk, has snap closures at the top, a side metal zipper, has hand finished seams, is lined.. and?

Any help would be great and appreciated!!!



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I think these are very difficult to date.

I have seen newer ones with metal zippers so thats not a definite indication of age.

I have one now that I am quite sure is older. It has side metal zipper plus snaps and hooks along side the zipper. The fabric is heavily woven with an intricate landscape design with Asian pagoda style houses, bridges, rivers with men rowing, and on horseback. There is much flora and fauna. The design covers most of the fabric and is woven with gold and silver threads. It is fully lined. It just has a different feel altogether than the newer ones and was immediately apparent by sight and feel.
 
This one has snaps, two hooks and eyes, a frog closure, and an older YKK Metal Zipper. I am pretty sure it is older but not 100% positive. It is a heavier silk that is fully lined and hand finished. I wish I could feel a new one vs vintage one then I would know for sure. I can only find pictures of them though.
 
I didnt think I had pictues of mine but I do (Although not great ones). I believe this is probably early 60s.



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I look for older sizing on them too. the 60's ones and earlier tend to have bust sizing like 36, 38, 40, etc whereas the modern ones go by dress size or s, m, l, etc.
I also find the vintage ones tend to be made from silky rayon satin, the modern ones is more from a stiffer nylon satin. This is a hard one to go by though as you need to feel the fabrics.

Lei
 
It is definately a fluid type of silk satin that is fully lined in silk and mostly hand finished. No tags or sizes of any kind inside. I wish I could fit into it and then it would all be moot.

Love that blue one.
 
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