Garment Archaeology/Mystery Dress

[francesanne]

Hi Again,

I wasn't too sure which forum to post this on because it's just an interesting garment to look at but I'd love to hear your opinions on if its handmade (which I think it is) and for any guesses on the era. Possibly a later reproduction of a 1940's dress?
I purchased it purely as a fixer upper for myself to wear because I think it's gorgeous.
Once it arrived and I took a look inside, I thought how interesting it is!
It has got some damage and previous repairs which aren't the best.

I've uploaded some labelled images.
The zip and buttons are later additions as they're put in with a blue thread by hand which doesn't match the original stitching.
No labels to be found anywhere.
The seams are finished but there's a lot of mismatching going on. The seam allowance in some areas is quite generous too.
It's a heavy velvet and the zip is rather small. I can see why there's so many tears near the armpit, the tiny zip!
Anyway, I'd love to hear what you think.

Many thanks,
Fran

 

[Jonathan]

It looks authentic to me, but perhaps fixed at a later date for wear as a vintage item. The dress looks postwar 40s to me 1947ish, and the zipper is a German make, so continental European.Perhaps the zipper was broken and a later owner fixed that and adjusted the size? 40s dresses like this were hot commodities for 1980s vintage lovers.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Nice dress...agree with Jonathan about 1940s.

 

[francesanne]

It looks authentic to me, but perhaps fixed at a later date for wear as a vintage item. The dress looks postwar 40s to me 1947ish, and the zipper is a German make, so continental European.Perhaps the zipper was broken and a later owner fixed that and adjusted the size? 40s dresses like this were hot commodities for 1980s vintage lovers.

Thanks for your reply. I'm glad to hear it might be authentic, not that its matters too much as it's just for me to enjoy!