Get to the church on time?

awaywiffairies

awaywiffairies

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:hiya:

I would love some help with these 3 frocks that I've been :scratchchin: about:

The lilac one, do u think it's a vintage bridesmaid dress or a vintage gown? There's a metal zip at the back, so guess it's late 50s/early 60s, what do you think? There's big cabbage roses and I know they do crop up alot of wedding attire together with printed flock pattern. I've included a pic of the back as well which features a big bow.

Then there's a wedding dress (bought different time from the other dress) which initially I thought was 50s, but as it's got a nylon zip down the back, so am I right in guessing it's 60s? (My mum wore one very similar late 50s so the vinyl zip threw me). Has 'poiny sleeves'. Also, it's needs a little wash to freshen up, but as the dress is now an off white, do u suggest a whitener? (I think I hear a collective sharp intake of breath!)

Lastly...sorry bout asking re 3 but all seem to be on a possible wedding theme...anyway, I'm honestly not sure what this last taffeta ensemble is about. It has a long skirt (tulle petticoat & acetate lining), boned corset (hook n eye) and a separate bow sash and then a little jacket. Could this hv bin used for a winter bridesmaid or knocked up for a prom? No label so homemade or dressmaker. Not particularly old as oddly apart from the other metal fastenings there are two bits of velcro which seem to serve no purpose on the back of the waistband, so if they're original to the outift it's not an old garment (plus vinyl zip back of the skirt. The jacket has press stud fastening & the skirt and bow some very clumsy metal fastenings (not sure what they're called. I'm thinking maybe 80s?

Both first dresses are screaming for a nice fluffy petticoat, but I'll be getting one very soon and then I'll be playing for hours lol!


Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Sarah

ps please excuse the mess behind the white wedding dress! Pleased to say that fireplace is now fitted where it should be & I'm happy! (bin there months!)

lilacdress.jpg


lilacbackJPG.jpg


lilacrose.jpg


weddingdress.jpg

weddingback.jpg



maroon.jpg


maroontop.jpg



maroonjacket.jpg
 
:wow22: That lilac dress is soooo pretty! The roses, the bow, the color....I would guess bridesmaid dress.
As for dating, your guesses sound about right to me, but I'm curious as to what the others will say...
Great finds!
 
Thanks Missproper (had a nose at your online shop..gorgeous frocks!) and Midge for your feedback. I agree, the lilac one is really pretty, I fell in love when I saw it, bridesmaid dress or not. I love the fat cabbage roses! When I try & sell I'll state it was originally a bridesmaid frock but I'm hoping I might b able 2 promote it as a prom/party dress here in UK. The bow can be removed if needs be by a buyer to make it less bridesmaidy.

Goodness knows y I bought the maroon apart from being seduced by anything that rustles and sparkles! I'm hoping it is 80s then it'll be classed as vintage & I can put it on Etsy as a possible prom ensemble.

:excited: My, looks like I'm getting a bit better at dating, which is all down to you all at VFG, got a long way to go though and I'm still hopeless at fabrics, getting quite annoyed with myself actually! Getting confused with telling the difference between crepe de chine, chiffon & diaphanous polyester when I don't have enough fabric to burn test. Want to put my very first frocks on Etsy, but the identifying fabric issue is holding me back & not giving me the confidence to go ahead.

Actually, might put that query on a new post as I'm sure pics of the dresses in question would help (and I know everyone likes to see piccies).

Sarah
 
Hi Sarah, don't worry too much about fabrics. Yes, it's important but it takes a while. Even the most knowledgeable sometimes can't agree on the fabric content of a garment. Get some books from your local library on fabrics or email fabric manufacturers and ask them for fabric swatches (just use Google). They'll usually provide small samples for free and it won't do any harm to ask. You'll then have a permanent reference and it won't have cost you anything - just a bit of your time. :)
 
Sarah, if you want to get to know fabrics, I recommend a trip to the fabric shop. You have fun touching a fabric and then looking at the tag to see what it is!

Synthetics are often easy to identify because they feel a bit warm compared to natural fibres like cotton or silk. If you get a few lined up (maybe from the remnants box) and try them out, you'll know what I mean. Silk feels cool to the touch, and a bit, well, I think of it as slimy but I hope you understand what I mean.

As for your frocks, the first looks like nylon, is it flocked with a slightly raised print? That's very '50s - I'd call it a party dress rather than a bridesmaid dress. The second looks like nylon lace - will look great with a petticoat. I find there's a lot of interest in those shorter length wedding dresses. The last one looks 80s, either a silk or polyester taffeta and it looks like it's been washed so you might like to give it a good steam and see if you can get those wrinkles out. A dry clean might help too. You might like to photograph it without the big waist bow too - it's not the most flattering of looks to what is otherwise a nice dress. It's quite stunning, actually I think you will find that it's silk.

Nicole
 
Nicole has a good point - I'd like to see that last dress without the bow as well. And for selling online (?) a close-up of the stone work along the neckline? I like the lines of the little jacket and would have no problem calling that '80's.

The middle dress looks mid-late 60's to me and dress number one does remind me of a dress I was forced to wear as a bridesmaid at a wedding once - although yours is much nicer. Mine had the big old bow in front. "Party dress" is perfect.
 
Louise, good idea re calling fabric outlets and I did do an interior design course last year so I should have some odd samples about as well....somewhere!

Nicole, of course...visit a fabric shop! nothing in the harbour town where I live, but in the next market town there is a fabric shop I've only ever walked past (tut tut) and as well as reams of fabric they also double as a little cafe...oh yeah, coffee, cream cake and fabrics...heaven! Yeah, I kind of like the maroon ensemble as well and will go with your suggestion and Amanda's re removing the sash. How about if I turned the sash around so the bow is at the back (I can hear a cry of NOOOO!!!). Yes, it could be silk taffeta, certainly cool and 'slimy' to the touch (good hint re warm and cool touch). I haven't got a steamer, so a trip to the dry cleaners should also sort out the creases?

The lilac dress fabric is sheer and semi-transparent & rough like chiffon??? It also has the watermark affect and the cabbage roses are made out of the same fabric but doubled over (the bow's same fabric too) and the flock is a print slightly raised. The lining is deeper lilac and that's where the depth of colour is coming from. Does that sound like chiffon?

Missproper, glad you like the lilac dress, I agree it is really is so very pretty.

Hope everyone's noticed that I'm getting better at dating. I do listen and I am learning from you all...slowly :spin:
 
That just reminds me - I have a 50s dress too with flocked print... having seen that kind of thing the first time on such a dress, I didn't know that that was quite common. Interesting! I'll have to post my dress too sometimes.

Sarah, I'm not very good at identifying fabric either - and I do sew every now and then and have two boxes chock-full of fabric remnants ;).

Karin
 
Oh yes, be great to see your dress as well! I must start building up my own box of fabrics too and do some burn tests as well, sould be fun! :USETHUMBUP:
 
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