Dating a tiered dress

[acceber]

This dress has me so stumped. I am guessing it was a 1920s dress but it has been so altered. It was sold to me as a 60s dress but I have never seen a 60s dress with side hooks. So in examining it, I see it was taken in on one side. The hooks were moved towards the back, giving the dress a more fitted shape. They also sewed darts in the back to take it in. I’m going to take those darts out and put the hooks back. You can see the thread where they once were. I just don’t know about that tiered skirt. Any ideas to this mess? Thanks.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

It almost reminds me of a 1920s bathing costume.

 

[MagsRags]

It is a bit short for a dress, isn't it?

Riffing off Barbara's impression, top half of a lady's gym uniform? But I'm thinking for anything athletic, the fasteners would be sturdier.

 

[acceber]

It almost reminds me of a 1920s bathing costume.

That would be interesting and something I hadn’t considered at all. The fabric is very heavy. Durable is the word that comes to mind, but it also has a dull sort of sheen to it. Whoever altered it meant business sewing these hooks on it! Also, I don’t think my dress form is suitable for it. It’s longer than it seems. I’m 5’5 and trying it on, it comes just to my knee and is otherwise very big. Makes you feel a little dwarfed in the skirt area. It has an odd sort of gathering on either side which looks familiar to me somehow. It’s too low to be any sort of bust line enhancement. I have pictures of that and my 16 year old holding it up in front of her. Moving the hooks and removing the long darts from the back add about 2.5” to its width.

 

[Jonathan]

I think it's a bathing costume (beach dress). It would have been worn over a form fitting body suit - I would guess 1910s - possibly just into the early 20s.

 

[acceber]

Fascinating. Thank you!