Dress or Nightgown?

[Sazamtro]

When I unpacked this gown I assumed it was a dress but then saw that it was from Van Raalte. Did Van Raalte make dresses? The style and fabric don't seem like they would make a very comfortable nightgown or lounge wear. Maybe a hostess dress?

It has a double layer of 100% polyester chiffon. The top layer is a light pink and the bottom layer is a deeper rose. The belt is two satin ribbons matching the two shades of chiffon.

The "eye" of the hook and eye closure on the halter top is loose, which is why it isn't closed in the picture. This also came with the original purchase receipt with the date of 1966. It's described as a "rose Grecian chiffon gown." Any help would be appreciated, I want to make sure I describe this right when I list it.

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

I don't know specifically about Van Raalte making dresses, but this definitely looks like a dress! And it's lovely! They did make gloves as well as nightwear, so I don't see why they couldn't have made regular dresses....

 

[amandainvermont]

Yes, they made gloves and hosiery, but I'm inclined to think this is less a dress and more in the negligee family. Is it soft and slippery? Nice that you have the exact date! That neck closure is confusing. Perhaps they made hostess-type nightgowns? ????

 

[Sazamtro]

It confused me too! I saw the Van Raalte tag and sort of assumed it was a nightgown, then saw the hook-and-eye halter top and was like "that doesn't seem right..." And the fabric is not soft or slippery. It's a matte, slightly textured and rough polyester. Not something I would think would be very comfortable for sleeping in. Yet at the same time it seems almost a little too insubstantial to be considered a dress, with only two layers of chiffon and the only thing holding up the top a single hook. I did find two adds doing a Yahoo image search from Van Raalte in the late 60's that seem to show dresses. Maybe they branched out into dresses for a few years as an experiment?

 

[missproper]

I guess it could be either depending on who's wearing it

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

That poly knit facing doesn't look like anything I've ever seen on a nightie! But it could be a hostess dress--those were big back in the 60s and into the 70s. And, gals have been wearing loungewear for street wear for some years now! As Angela said, depends on who has it on!

 

[vintagepretties]

Its absolutely beautiful! yes.. Van Raalte did "diversify" and make hosiery, gloves and brifely short, predominantly nylon day dresses, then dropped the day dress line and focused more on "hostess gown" dresses. That fabric I would say is definately a hostess dress. Its really really beautiful, and could be worn as a dress too!
yvonne
http://www.rubylane.com/shop/vintagepretties