Dating a Ribbon Dress

greatglenvintage

greatglenvintage

Registered Guest
I found this lovely ribbon dress at a thrift store recently. I'm unsure of the dating. I think it's 40s. It has a metal side zipper. It also has what I think is called a waist stay (is that right?) that is elastic and closes with a hook and eye. Would these type of dresses have been knitted or crocheted? Thanks!
 

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Jonathan is right on with the dating. I wore a dress very similar to this to my then new husband's 1950 company banquet. I remember being self conscious about the "daring" scoop neckline. It seems to me that this ribbon knitted fabric was only popular (or available?) for a few years. Maybe it could be added to the VFG fabric resource.
Marian
 
Marian, what a fun memory! I'm convinced I was born in the wrong decade. Is the top supposed to be more "blousy"? The waist seems oddly low to me (or maybe it's just my dress form). I tried pulling the waist up a bit, but then the zipper looked odd.
 
It's a lovely dress, it could have been made by Ann Fleischer. I have a couple of her dress designs, one from Bullock's Wilshire with an Ann Fleischer label, and one from Saks Fifth Avenue, without the Fleischer label. The crochet/knit pattern on both dresses is similar to yours.
 
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