Crepe dress - could this be late 30s?

Midge

Midge

Super Moderator
Staff member
I bought this cutie on Etsy a few months ago but only got around to mending it and giving it a closer inspection this week. The seller listed it as 1940s. I didn't dwell too much on that to be honest, it was too pretty and the measurements perfect, so I just snapped it up - the price was very fair. The weather outside is dreary, and I've been overworked all week, so I treated myself to wearing my "new" dress today. Well, on looking at myself in the mirror... I got more of a 1930s vibe... sort of. That whole slender column and puffy sleeves look. What do you think? Or maybe it's a cusper? I'm just curious. It's a dream to wear anyway :wub: and I'm totally in love with it.

greendress4.jpg

Not a very good shot - self-timer didn't want to work tonight... Just back from work.

greendress3.jpg


greendress2.jpg

Interesting styling in the back!

greendress1.jpg


greendress5.jpg


There are no labels, the fabric is a pretty crepe with woven-in dots. It's a teensy bit faded in some places, but nothing that makes it unwearable. It takes a close look to notice it. Side opening, with a neat row of small snaps and a hook at the waist. Very soft, very shimmery velvet at the cuffs and the collar. Bound button holes. I think the hemline could have been altered. The seam allowance is quite generous, a seam band was used, and a different color of thread than on any other seams. But it's the same color thread that was used on the 2 small repairs that I found on the dress (just seams, so nothing big). The belt only goes round the front and is sewn into the side seams.

Karin
 
It's lovely Karin. I'm getting more of a 40s vibe with it, mainly due to the length but I see what you mean. I think 30's would have been longer. It could have been shortened though.

It really suits you. Looks made to measure. :-)
 
Intriguing idea, and I can see why you got the idea, but it won't work though, because of the way the belt is made, and also because the sleeves are shaped at the elbow (that is so ingenious - this is the second dress I have that has this - whoever would do this today?).

Karin
 
Karin, I agree that it could be late '30s. It looks like it was shortened - you could take the hem down a little to the original proportions.

1930s dresses frequently have back detailing and interesting sleeves - I agree with Mary Jane that the buttons could go down the back and I've seen many "half belts" that fasten at the back too. I'm intrigued by the elbow treatment that you mention, but from the images you have above, there seems to be more fabric in the side of the bodice without the buttons and belt, and so that side would be the front as there's room for a bust.

What side is the side opening? It's almost always on the left so that could help determine the front. Also, does either side have bust darts?

N
 
I see late '30's also and agree it's probably been shortened and think the buttons and the half-belt might go in the back. I do have a dress from the '40's where the zip is on the right - which is pretty unusual but I am sure that is the correct side as worn.

Linn
 
:excited: You all really are the best! I kept thinking, no, "the buttons have to be in the front", til I saw the last posts this morning before I went out this morning... and I tried it on the other way - well :jawdrop: the penny dropped!

Yes, I had it on the wrong way and just didn't get it - total :powwows::BAGUSE::duh2:. The seller had it on the manni on her pictures on etsy the wrong way around too, so yes, I naturally put it on the that way around too. There are no darts around the bust, and I'm so small up there anyway, and the crepe fabric drapes so nicely, that I could wear it the wrong around - even with a push-up bra... :hysterical:. I know they liked back detailing back then, but I've never seen dresses with belts around the back - all the books I looked through had dresses with belt details around the front. Yes, and the side opening is on the left side now - of course the right side was wrong :duh:.

So here's the pic with the dress on the right way - I wore it to the collector's fair today and even got a compliment (though that lady also said that my handbag wasn't correct - as if I didn't know... it was supposed to be that way, I don't always dress "historically correct", but I guess she didn't get that - it looked good together, so that's fine by me).

greendress6.jpg


Thanks so much for your help & input! That made my day - which the collectors fair didn't, by the way. So much the same stuff every year it seems... and the two vintage fashion stalls there are so beyond expensive - I'm better off shopping etsy and VFG members' online shops. $200 for a 30s rayon velvet dress (a very yummy purple color though), where the side seams at the waist were torn on both sides, and the fabric looked too weak to repair it well, and the seam at the bottom being open, and judging from the length, having been cut off & shortened as well... no thank you.

Karin
 
I too have had dresses similar to this with the buttons in the back and the belt, just not the style of your sleeve though. More of the simple 30s fitted sleeve, they often have zippers at the cuff.

Glad to see I was correct in my assumption of it being backwards.

Another great dress for you, Karin!
 
You look terrific, Karin! Glad you figured it out. I am going to start a new thread showing the black crepe dress that I own with the zipper on the "right" (hand) side!

Linn
 
Thanks! I am so in love with the dress - would love to have a couple more like this! They just new how cut them in a flattering way back then. This one actually has two small snaps at each cuff, because the sleeves are so tight there.

I will leave the length as it is, even though it would have been longer originally. Looking at the seam, it has obviously been there for so long, I don't think that I could get that fold out. The length as it is is fine by me - it looks good with boots too which is just as well for winter.

Great idea, Linn. Would love to see that dress. I am still learning so much.

Karin
 
what a stunning dress!!! totally love the silhouette!

I agree about it being late 30's, the look of the fabric and when you see it the right way around definitely suggests that. Agreeing with the whole being shortened business.

Maybe war time frugality and trying to get a new lease of life from such a pretty dress!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top