Early 6os "shimmy dress"? ... a better name for wide fringe?

[EndlessAlley]

Dress has a '55 - '63 Union Label, long metal back zipper, wide waist band and hits below knees. Was wondering if this is an early '60s profile rather than late '50s?

Also dress is encircled with wonderful 2" wide fringe strips that run from waist to just above hem. Is there a "more correct" term for "wide fringe"?

I've seen others use the label "shimmy dress" but it seems to cover lots of styles... Would you label this dress something other than "shimmy dress"?

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

 

[Jonathan]

I recall someone asking a similar question about a similar dress a while back, and the term 'carwash' came up. I am sure its not a proper fashion term, but it is very descriptive.

 

[Pinkcoke]

lol! lots of similar amusing pictures ran through my head, like the old door curtains...but despite it being totally incorrect, giant 'flapper' fringe is what I can imagine it being described as, because unlike a small fringe, this would move when you do, like the flapper dresses did.

 

[EndlessAlley]

Thanks for the creative "brainstorming, but not sure how many folks are out there looking for a "giant flapper" "car wash dress" -lol.... Less descriptive, but I guess I'll go with... early '60s, wide fringe, Ann-Margret (Wish I could shimmy like my sister) shimmy dress.

 

[Vinclothes]

I have heard wider loose panels called flying panels. These could be called narrow flying panels.
Marian

 

[mingus107]

I have also used the term "car wash" to describe this style fringe. Very cute!

 

[thespectrum]

Car wash for sure

From the title of your thread & before I even saw your dress that is the term that I thought of.

 

[joules]

I know it's not the most elegant, but car wash, that's the one.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

I agree with car wash being a correct fashion term. I cannot recall, but there was a very famous designer who showed what he/she termed a car wash dress and the term entered the fashion lexicon. I think it was early to mid 1960s?

I love that dress!

 

[retro ruth]

Have you seen this, from 1957? It's an advert for Enka Rayon, though I can't find out who did the dress. It doesn't appear to be an exact match to yours, but clearly very similar, so it would perhaps put your dress in late 50s rather than early 60s.

 

[thespectrum]

Great ad! That's a late 50s length though, as compared to the one in the OP, which does look more early 60s.

 

[retro ruth]

Right you are - I did wonder. I guess the style went on for a few years.

 

[retro ruth]

there was a very famous designer who showed what he/she termed a car wash dress and the term entered the fashion lexicon. I think it was early to mid 1960s?

yes and it was a different shape, the carwash straps came from above the bust line I think, more of a tent/trapeze shape.

 

[retro ruth]

It was Pierre Cardin, later 60s - here's a previous thread

http://forums.vintagefashionguild.org/threads/help-with-60s-dress-id-designer-update.37888/

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Yes that's it! That is the dress I remember. I saw an old movie from the 1960's last week (cannot recall now which one), and there was a woman wearing a dress with a car wash style skirt and I called it out, and my boyfriend looked at me and said "car wash.....what?"....he thought I was nuts!

 

[EndlessAlley]

Wow! Wonderful information from everyone. I loved reading this thread!!! "Carwash" it is!
Thank you all for your help.

 

[thespectrum]

I am watching a Perry Mason marathon & in an episode from 1963 Ruta Lee is wearing almost this same exact dress in white.

 

[cosmiccowgirl]

I recall someone asking a similar question about a similar dress a while back, and the term 'carwash' came up. I am sure its not a proper fashion term, but it is very descriptive.

That's exactly what I've seen that treatment called as well.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

I've heard it called car wash, as well! Maybe you could call it "car wash shimmy fringe." Covers all the bases ; )...

 

[EndlessAlley]

that's a good idea LizaJane... listing title would have good searchable key words and at the same time be using the correct "car wash" term.