Date (30's?) & Cleaning advice On This Dress Please

[poshgirlvintage]

Date (30\'s?) & Cleaning advice On This Dress Please

Hello,

I need a date on this unusual dress please. I was guessing 30's?
I believe it's silk (but I'm no expert) and the print looks like Alice in Wonderland. Do you think it is?
The fabric is a little sheer & flowy, it buttons in the back up the middle.

It has some light brown spots here and there and I'm afraid to dry clean it. Do you think a hand wash would be OK?
The black trim is ribbon, again feels silky and a little texture to it.

I see no tags of any kind.
It has shoulder pads that stick out a bit past the shoulder seam to make the top of the sleeve puff up.

 

[listitcafe]

I would not handwash. It may run... I would spot clean and air dress out in sun...

Great print..

-Chris

 

[cactusandcattails]

I agree with Chris that the colors may run especially that dark ribbon? It may be early 40s. I am sure someone will come along that has more expertise in dating.

It does look like Alice in Wonderland! Very cool!

 

[poshgirlvintage]

ok, I'll spot clean it but it is pretty dirty. It will take a while.

I totally forgot about the black ribbon. It probably would run.

I would hate to see it shredded at the cleaners. The dry cleaners don't seem to get old stains out very well anyway.

thank you.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

What an adorable print....definitely Alice In Wonderland.

The Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the Rabbit...they're all there.

I would say it is late 1930s or very early 40s.

Do you think it may have been full length and cut?

 

[poshgirlvintage]

I have no idea. I can't tell by the hem. it's lined with a small pink ribbon. It's possible it is home made but it was done well if so.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

ohmygosh! that's absolutely precious. i get nervous w/cleaning issues on fragile pieces like this

good luck

 

[Jonathan]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were spring 1947. A lot of manufacturers altered skirts by adding bands to lower the hemlines of existing garments. The regulations for length were repealed in November 1946 and the hemlines started a downward turn right away. By November the fall line is already out in the stores and manufacturers are beginning to make the spring clothes. However, Dior's New Look collection shown in February are even longer than what American manufacturers had thought would be the case and one way to alter existing frocks is to insert bands in the skirt. Novelty prints are certainly hugely important in 46 - 49, although they exist earlier the prints tend to be smaller. So I would say spring 47 on the dress.

 

[hatfeathers]

Air it outside and leave it be....them make sure to put Alice in Wonderland in the title to get the Alice collectors, maybe novelty print, too....you'll run out of letters fast!