Dating vintage dress

[Justine]

So need a little help on this vintage dress, which I bought in a UK charity shop. It more beautiful than the pictures shows but definitely in need of a good clean..any idea of the best way as I think dry cleaning might ruin it?
The first underlayer is made from crimpoline I believe the 2nd layer is possibly silk and the lace overlay has a silver thread flowing through it. Hidden metal zipper with the letter R on the side of the dress. Some seams are pinked and other serged. It doesn’t have a label apart from a small one which has the number 23 on it. Any help would be appreciated, I’m not looking to sell it but hopefully clean it up and keep it, thanks I’m advance

 

[retro ruth]

That's adorable. I see 1950s.

I'm not sure which layer is which in your description, but it won't be crimplene if I'm right about 50s. The lilac underlayer might be acetate, and the outer lace perhaps nylon. The white loose weave layer nearest the skin looks like cotton to me, but you'd have to say if it feels like that, it's hard to ID fibre from a photo. If it's stiff it could be starched.

I can't help much with cleaning advice. I suspect some of the discoloration on the bodice might hard to change whatever you do.

 

[Justine]

Thanks for the info Ruth, was crimpoline not used in the 50s? It is very stiff so like you said could be starched. I’m leaning towards 50s also, just hope I can restore it as I’m sure it was very beautiful in its day

 

[retro ruth]

Crimplene was invented in 1959, but the 60s was it's heyday. It's also usually knitted, not woven, though there are exceptions to this.

I'm not sure if we are meaning the same thing though, do you perhaps mean crinoline? A crinoline usually refers to a stiff net underskirt. It could be made of nylon or polyester.

I hope someone can advise on cleaning.

 

[Vintagiality]

I see 50s as well and I agree the middle layer looks like acetate in the photo. Unless there is silk, old rayon, or wool involved, I tend to soak everything in Restoration for cleaning. The risk with washing this one in any way though is that the pieces, being of different fabric may shrink differently, especially those “ribbon” inlays. If it were mine, I would soak it in very cool water but again, there is a risk.