Fancy Dress Ho down?

awaywiffairies

awaywiffairies

Registered Guest
Hi Ev1! I bought this dress thinking it was vintage tho no idea what age, but on looking again & scratching my head I've got a horrid idea that this is a dress that someone has put together for a fancy dress of a ho down or whatever...I do hope not (tho I guess we all make mistakes when we start). What do you think...but be gentle please lol!!!! Sarah x

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....this dress does have small shoulder pads that look old all made & filled with material not foam. The dress has side buttons, the buttons r plastic tho the patina is not as smooth as modern. Its homemade & maybe not by someone adept ...there's sewing guts everywhere inside. The fabric on the gingham (the gingham pattern is very small checks) is not a cotton but has a sheen to it & the skirt polyester or crepe type (not hot on fabrics). The shoulder pads & gingham both look more of an age so any help wld b appreciated. I can post more pics or answer any q's...... :help:
 
Sounds like it could be '40s - and made of rayon. Early rayons have a sheen to them, that's why they were called "ray-on". It does look a bit costumey but it could easily be a day dress.

Nicole
 
Thanks Nicole for info & giving me a glimmer of hope that it's a vintage dress! Now I know about rayon and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Would the side buttons fit in with a 40s piece and the polyster/crepe material on the skirt part? Any other clues I need 2 look for that it might be a 40s piece? :)
 
It won't be made of polyester if it's '40s: that wasn't invented yet. The skirt is probably rayon crepe.

Side buttons are more associated with '30s dresses, but have been found into the '40s. They might be made of bakelite (an early plastic).

I like your expression about "sewing guts". I think we all know what you mean there!

Nicole
 
Thanks 4 thinking it might b 40's too ;) I did buy it online so these two pics r from there so I've had to decapitate one, but yes, I think it's very cute modelled & u can get more of a feel for the dress x

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Thanks for that Nicole, it's all coming together now and making sense! I don't want to sell the dress as a possible 40s when it's not and so just trying to get my facts right! Just looking at the shoulder pads, and I've noticed they're only sewn into the top of the puffy sleeves to make little peaks, is that a 40s style? I know padded shoulders are, but thought they were big mama types.....ps sorry for being a pain, but I am learning loads & it is appreciated (grovel grovel) :spin:
 
The shoulder pads positioned as they are sound like they could be late '30s, although (to be honest) it doesn't look terribly '30s in style....then again, I tend to give most weight to fabric and construction as styles aren't always spot on for era.

Nicole
 
Thanks again Nicole & this is the last and final question...honest! The belt loops are very big on the dress, so the belt (which is missing) must have been rather wide, so is that more 40s? The reason for the question is that I want to buy an appropriate belt as I think that wld set the dress off, so I'm wondering what type would best suit the dress & possible era :scratchchin: The belt loops are navy & in same crepe rayon fabric. Sarah x
 
Sarah, this is cute! Looks like it was probably shortened from its original length, or if hand made, made for a short person.

I have a few late 30s/early 40s rayon crepe dresses I got at auction a few months ago, and their "belts" are more like self-fabric sashes with buckles. And, yes, they are wide. But not stitched onto stiffening for a belt. I'm guessing from what you posted here, that your dress may have had a similar belt treatment. I would try to either find a vintage scarf to use as a sash tie (I wear them this way, and it looks really cute). Or some coordinating fabric you could make a sash out of. Or a "soft" wide belt.
 
Yes, you do see side buttons into the 1940s, especially on a home sewn dress. It sounds like it has sleeve headers to make the sleeve caps stand out rather then shoulder pads. Cute dress and I agree early 40s and a wide belt or sash.

Hollis
 
Thank u both so much for your ideas on the belt...will definitely take that on board and have a look around. Good re side buttons & pads, together with all the info from other members on fabric etc, it looks like I do have a vintage dress wihch pleases me no end! Early 40s sounds so right now! :USETHUMBUP:
 
:icon_dante: jus woken up & hving my 1st coffee & reading your replies. Thanks for all the feedback, I've got plenty of ideas re the belt now & like the baby doll heels idea. You are all fab..Thankyou! Sarah
 
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