dating Betty Barclay cotton check dress

Pinkcoke

Pinkcoke

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Trying to work out when this was made is giving me grief... the Betty Barclay label matches the one said to be 1950's in the resource, however I don't think this is 1950's as it also has a Dacron label with care symbols in the shoulder lining seam, my first thought on handling it was the lining seemed older than the general 1970's vibe from the dress outer. I think it may have been modified at some point, I did wonder if the lining had been reused from another dress, but it's a very good colour and shape match so now I think only the zip has been replaced and that is why the Betty Barclay label is stitched under on one side. The sleeves have a strange tape weighting in the hem I've only had on 1930's blouses before but I guess it's used for any lightweight fabric. It's missing a wide belt but as I bought it for myself I was going to shorten it to just below the knee and use the cut off fabric to create a new belt. When worn it is quite fitted on top, the neckline is rather more low cut than I would have expected with this style of dress and the skirt flows nicely over the hips in a pencil skirt style with a bit more give. Overall I'm going towards late 60's or early 70's. What do you think?

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I think it's from the 1970's. Betty Barclay was a division of Jonathan Logan, and was purchased by a German company in 1972 - according to the LR, and is still in business. As you said, it looks very '70's. I don't think the lining is "earlier" because the word "baumwolle" on the label appears to be a German word, and coupled with the care labels - I'd say 1970's.

Are you sure you want to shorten it? It's great as a "maxi!". You could probably find a colorful belt to go with it - or maybe just shorten it enough at the hem to make a belt??? I like the colors!

Linn
 
Thank you Linn, It's not 'maxi' on me unfortunately, a good foot from my toes and looks a rather peculiar length so I'd have to do something to wear it, I appreciate on anybody else it would be maxi, such is the disadvantage of being tall! I won't shorten it terribly...the dummy I have it on won't extend because she's missing a part and as such gives the illusion many garments are longer than they really are. Or maybe I should sell it on to preserve it...I got it because I love the colours too, and it fits so well.
I didn't make the connection between the german care label and the company at all (clearly...:wacko:)
P.S. I believe Baumwolle is german for cotton.
 
I also agree with the 70's dating. However, it appears to have been possibly altered. The neckline doesn't look right to me. Not necessarily the shape, but more the way the edging is sewn. Also, the sleeve hem doesn't look right and the dress length looks a bit off as well. Maybe it was long sleeves at one time with a higher neckline. I think the hem has also been let down.
 
Yep, i'm running with 70s on this, I have a check summer dress that dates to the early 70s in almost the same colours. How interesting that Betty Barclay was once a division of Jonathan Logan...that is a new one on me!
 
I agree with Amber: this dress has been changed a lot. The neckline is not original and the sleeves were probably full, perhaps with cuffs or elastic at the wrists. I also wonder about the hem length, it could have been taken down or it could have been shortened. Someone really loved this dress to do so much work to it! I agree with an early '70s date.
 
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