Divine wool crepe dress 40''s 50's era? Help!

Measurements

Hi Linn,
Who lives in one of my most favourite parts of the world
Measurements laying flat side to side are:
Underarm to underarm: 18-18 1/4"; Waist: 14", Hip: 19"; Across the top of the shoulders: 16 1/4"; Length-edge of shoulder to hem: 42"
Kate

 

Just such a fabulous dress, Kate. And my size too!

I'm cautious about wading into the 40s/50s debate with so many experts ahead of me, but my first reaction was early 1950s. There's something about 3/4 sleeves and that standing collar.

Sarah

 

There are elements of '50s style there, but as Jennifer points out, the shoulder pads are a defining issue.

They did wear shoulder pads into some dresses into the early '50s, but they were small and soft, either thinly padded or just an empty bit of fabric to define the shoulder line. You can see that these ones are stiffly padded and triangular - to emphasise the shoulder, not just define it.

In fact, the whole silhouette with it's wide shoulders and flared (not gathered) skirt is more '40s than the curvier '50s. Whilst wool crepe and the colour were used in the later decade, they were also more common during the '40s.

Nicole

 

IT FITS MEEEE!!!! (With a corset lol) well the hips would be too small but I am sure there is some give being wool crepe.... if you still have it after the holidays I might have to snatch it up!

My hubby liked it too!!

 

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the 40s now. All my fashion books show that shoulders were diminishing even in the late 1940s, although it must be remembered that these books only show 'high' fashion which doesn't allow for the 'fashion time lag' of women who maybe preferred to keep those shoulders despite fashion dictates because that's what they were used to. (A good example today would be hipster trousers, which aren't really fashionable anymore but are still popular, and indeed still being made).

Linn - that's very gracious of you! I would absolutely adore this dress (I'm picturing it winter-styled with cosy ankle boots) but Christmas expenses have drained my funds :( .

So go for it Jennifer! You would look divine in it, especially now you've got the hairdo sorted!

Sarah :xmasunwrap2:

 

How big is the mannequin?

If it makes any difference the mannequin measures B 85cm/33.5"; W63cm/24.8"; H85cm/33.5" and its not pinned in anyway the belt is tightened probably a tad too much as it makes the front a little skewed.

Katie

 

With so much enthusiasm for your dress right here on this thread, you clearly have a real gem on your hands there, Katie!

Sarah :elf: