Date and Fabric ID on Black Dress

[Jennifer Kietzman]

Hi!

I'm hoping someone can help with the dating of this dress and identification of its fabric type.

This dress has some really interesting seam work, of which I've tried to give you an idea in the attached pictures. There's a lovely scalloped seam across the top (at the front and back), which creates a kind of yoke, and the seam work on the skirt forms the most interesting angles and points. My guess is that the dress is made of rayon; what throws me off is that the back of the fabric has an almost flannel like feel. The dress also has attached "fins" at the cuffs, which have two snaps each. There are no zippers or buttons; the dress just slips on over the head. There are no labels, no shoulder pads. My guess is that the dress dates from the 1930s, but I am eager to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for your time and help!

Jennifer

 

[Vivala]

It looks '30s to me, too. Charming! ♡ The cuff treatment reminds me a little bit of this Vionnet dress, dated 1931-32 (Met Museum). The details were hard to see on the back fabric so I tweaked the image. Have you tried a fabric fiber burn test? They're really helpful!

 

[Jennifer Kietzman]

Hi there,
Thanks for your reply! Glad to hear you feel the same way about the date. I'll try a burn test, even though I don't really trust my nose to recognize the subtleties. Maybe I'll get lucky! The cuff on that Vionnet dress is gorgeous!