Dating cotton day dress, 50's?

[Robin of Frocksley]

Found this adorable dress, but I am having trouble deciding if it's 50's, or earlier. The skirt hits me (5'3") just below mid-calf, but it is all-around large on me. I'm thinking it would be tea-length on a slightly larger-framed person. It has one sadly tattered tag at the back neckline and a metal side zip marked MONA. Also, what do you call this style, with the piping trim and button down bodice/full skirt? A simple shirtwaist? Thanks so much!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Lovely print Robin - I'll go very early '50s for this one. I tend to think of shirtwaisters as having buttons that go below the waist, but I think this one could be called a shirtwaister.

 

[laurenm]

So great! it vaguely reminds me of the 'atomic' graphics from midwinter stylecraft Flowermist and other such patterns. What size do you think....really love it!

 

[Robin of Frocksley]

Thanks, Lauren! I also thought 'atomic' right away! I'm not sure that's entirely accurate, based on what I've read in previous threads here. I think I'd be safer calling it a 'mid century abstract'? It almost matches a scarf I found from a different sale, pic below. The scarf print reminds me of matchsticks, and the dress print of drumsticks

 

[Pinkcoke]

Robin I think that scarf may be depicting dressmaking pins, given the coloured heads. It's very cute!

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I never associated this style as a shirtwaist, simply referring to them as a day dress.
Perhaps I should start calling them by the other name.

Love this print, a really darling dress!