Date help on these dresses

scillas

scillas

Registered Guest
Hi again.
Hoping for some help on dating these 2 dresses –

Green dress:
It's a very light fabric, I think rayon, and the lining is tafetta.
It has a metal zipper in the back, nicely covered with small pushbuttons (are they called that in English?). An an attached belt in matching fabric, that closes on the back, as you can see.
Late 50s /early 60s?

The black one
I think that one is homemade, it has no lining and no labels.
And as to dating it, Im really confused. Is this 60s also, but for at mature woman??


I've uploaded some more pics to this page - just click here.

Your help much appreciated.
Thanks,
Sille in Denmark
:hiya:
 
I am thinking 60s on the green print dress.

Homemade is sometimes hard to date but the black one looks 40s to me.
 
Thank you very much, everyone – learned something new again – and added something to my English vocabulary too: "faille" and "snaps", so thanks for that also....:-)

Yes, I think rayon for the black one too. If it is as old as you suggest (and I think it is, coming from you experts), I'm again amazed by the quality of a vintage fabric/construction that old – it hardly shows any signs of age/wear.
There is a small story to go with that dress: I picked it up at charity store where they tend to keep the good stuff at the "dressing up/costumes" rack – everything on that rack goes for the same very low and fixed price, and I have the feeling that they sort of either hang the "odd" stuff on that rack or just throw it away.
I always look there first, anyways ;-) –
But those shops tend to have such strange ways of pricing/plaing things, that it can be bit scary thinking of what they might just throw away because of a loose seam, couple off stains – or even just age. Maybe I should ask them if they would keep that sort of stuff apart for me if they felt it was off a certain age – do you have any stories/experiences to share on that idea?

I like the print on the green dress too and it makes me long for springtime.. it is still all very wintery and white here, though. Brr!
Thanks again
Sille
:)
 
Sille, isn't that something, how the best things will often show up, in places like that? I think you are smart to keep an eye on that area, and keep checking back. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to ask; I have found that sometimes the staff members are receptive, and at least will point out things that may be of interest to you, if they know you would be inclined to purchase them.
 
I would definitely ask them to keep their 'reject' items for you. They will be glad to sell someething they thoguht was worthlss, and you will find somerthing good.

I used to find great stuff by going to this craaaazy thrift store in the basement of a soup kitchen - the kitchen was right beside an upscale vintage boutique - so they woul d send their reject clothes there. Of cours, the men in the soup kitchen had no use for imperfect ladies 60s dresses and blouses.... so I bought them at prices that pleased both the charity, and myself.

It's nice when you can find a win - win situation!
 
I used to work as a sorter in a charity warehouse, and it had a very rigid and inflexible policy on what was suitable for their shops. Even minor flaws would see the most beautiful garments put in the 'rag bag.'

I once had to 'rag' a 30s silk velvet gown because the metal zip was broken, and they wouldn't listen to my pleading because who the heck was I and what did I know? :angry22:

Anyway, I'm sure the shop would be receptive to your request, Sille, especially if they could make some extra sales! It never hurts to ask!

Sarah
 
Originally posted by TinTrunk
I once had to 'rag' a 30s silk velvet gown because the metal zip was broken, and they wouldn't listen to my pleading because who the heck was I and what did I know? :angry22:
Sarah
Click to expand...

Good grief! Why wouldn't they let you have the 30's gown? It just doesn't make any sense. Better you have the dress than just bin it. :(
 
Thanks again for your advice – yes, I will ask the the next time, and it's a good point about the win-win situation.
And also thanks for more new words for my vintage fashion vocabulary, sarah-jane :-)
 
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