Date of a Dress-40s or later?

L

lapoubellevintage

Registered Guest
Happy Friday everyone! I'd love your opinions on a dress that has me a bit perplexed. It's a lightweight cotton dress, likely handmade although very well done. It has a metal side zipper and the buttons feel '40s to me but the print seems more modern...maybe '80s? Although the fabric does have that very old feel to it, perhaps it has just been worn and washed a lot. Would love to hear your thoughts.
 

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To me the bikers have a contemporary look, but dress doesn't remind me of an 80s profile. My guess is later than the 80s. But I'm sure some members will come on and give you a better idea regarding date.
 
70s.

the print, the little ruffle at the shoulder, the colorway, all speak 70s. early to mid 70s.

home sewn garments can make dating difficult; zippers from earlier eras can be used, for example, and then, going forward, buttons can be changed out, using new ones, or vintage ones.
 
I agree with 70's, a lot of the dresses in my collection have that very fitted bodice and either a scoop or buttoned up neck.
 
I guess I will go against the grain...I could see this as late 40s/early 50s. The buttons, the side metal zip, and I have had dresses with these colors from that time period. The sleeves are a bit odd though.

Either way, it is very cute!
 
the other part of the print that indicates 70s is the way the stripes are graduated ~ that part SCREAMS 70s, to me. it was incorporated into surf shirts, and sundresses ~

and of course, i can't find a single example online anywhere right now...lol....
 
Thanks for your input everyone, it's very helpful! Carrie, there are actually some female bikers in the print although you're right about the bicycles looking like more modern racer bikes. Although I wish that this dress was a '40s find, I guess I'm leaning towards a '70s-made '40s revival style.
 
I remember prints like that in the late '70s and I also had a dress with little ruffles like that too - but my date is very close to the others. I think you're very safe to call it '70s.
 
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