Dress, Culottes ??? What is this thing?

*~Eli!

*~Eli!

Registered Guest
Maggy Boutique. The label is unremarkable and there are no other tags. Made in China.

From what I can find of this label, lots of simple flowery dresses for sale for next to nothing all over the web, stating they are vintage from the 70s to 80s. Trademark registered for Maggy Boutique from 82 to 87. Lots of mention of Suzie Chin and Maggy Boutique but I haven't researched that yet.

The question is more... what IS this? Its... its... I don't have the words really. I was shocked how good it actually looked on my model since on the hanger, it looked sort of ridiculous. I cannot decide if I hate it or love it but...

Thoughts, ideas, styles, what would you call it? Is it a New England style? Is it a plaid culotte jumpsuit with sailor collar? I bet it would look great with red tights and combat boots. *smile*

*~Eli
 

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I have quite a similar one, in navy with huge white polka dots, and almost the same collar - I'll try and post a pic later. Can't remember the label though. This style was an 1980s fad - I vaguely remember them at the time. I call mine a jumpsuit, yes. Don't know about New England, coz I'm in old England, and we had them here.

*~Eli said:
Is it a plaid culotte jumpsuit with sailor collar? *~Eli
Click to expand...

I think you nailed it.

I also remember the term 'divided skirt' being used, back in the day.
 
These were around earlier as well, I have a few patterns from the 1930s for culottes (as a jumpsuit/dress) like that, and I have a 1950s one made from a summery light blue fabric and beautifully lined in muslin. They have a more casual vibe than your holiday themed outfit, since they were meant for sports and biking around. Sometimes I've seen the style described as a "split skirt" or "divided skirt".

Jen
 
Oh yes, I didn't mean to imply this tartan outfit was any earlier! They were definitely around in the '80s too (I think I had some!) but that the culottes/split skirt as part of a full-length jumper/dress design isn't just an '80s thing. I see the Princess Di influence too.
 
I would say both jumpsuit and culotte dress are correct, the latter would explain to buyers what they are seeing if the front photo looked like a dress. The tartan was a big thing in the 80's. I have a 80's fit and flare tartan coat with a contrast collar too.
 
I wore these in the 80s and into the very early 90s, and actually still have one in my closet. I remember them being popular in the late 60s or early 70s as well, but much shorter.... We called the earlier ones "culotte skirts,"' but when the longer styles came around in the 80s, I remember calling them "split" or "divided" skirts, as laughingmagpie notes. I think culotte skirt is still accurate, too, but I wouldn't call it a jumpsuit--in the 70s and 80s, what was called a jumpsuit had a full-length pant rather than a shorter skirt-type thingie.

I always liked how comfortable they were and you didn't have to wear a slip underneath (but they're so inconvenient when you have to go potty!).
 
Ruth, that's amazing that yours is the same style in a different fabric.

I remember these too, and would have dated the plaid version as early '80s but for the Made in China label which probably puts it into the early '90s.
 
Wow Ruth, that is sort of crazy huh? I guess I recall them now too. 80s was my era after all. Although yours is similar in style to mine, it seems less exaggerated... I mean the culottes on mine are like a full skirt and that collar its a COLLAR on mine... and yes, totally Princess Di, absolutely! I swear I think maybe she had one just like it >.<

I mentioned New England Marion, because it has that 'collegiate' 'preppy' feel to me and it reminded me of Boston a bit in the 80s.

Thanks as usual ladies... you are always a huge help

*~Eli
 
The terms are probably similar. It comes from Sloane Square, in Knightsbridge, a very rich area of London, populated by the super posh. I think the term started in the 80s, when girls from that area were called 'Sloane Rangers' (see what we did there?). I always think of them wearing velvet alice bands! Princess Di was the ultimate Sloane.

I'm not sure if preppy is quite so upper class?
 
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