help dating a 40s? 50s? dress

[maltby]

last one that has me perplexed. I can usually date 60s and 70s stuff pretty well but anything earlier I have trouble with especially hand sewn. This one is I THINK maybe 40s or 50s? My main reason for thinking so was that the slip buttons up the side- but that could just be because it's hand sewn? the dress is sheer, with the littler cut out/embroidery sort of flowers all over. And the belt (while broken) is just so cute. Anyway this one felt a little special to me so I wanted to see if anyone had thoughts on it!

 

[Pinkcoke]

I find those plastic hook belt buckles most commonly on older style dresses from the 70s and 80's. The blouson top, extended princess line seams, longer sleeve length and overall dress length all say 1980s to me. I think the slip was either an earlier (30's-50's) slip or one made up at the same time as the dress, as the buttons on it are of a similar age to the dress.
I would guess this was made up by an older woman who favoured the 50's style in her clothing, as lots of parts of it are 1950's style (belted waist, full skirt, floral print, sheer overlay) but the materials and finishing touches are more recent.

 

[maltby]

ahhh smart! thanks so much, that makes sense

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Like Melanie, I see an '80s dress but it will help if you can identify the fabric. I expect it will have a synthetic component. The embroidered/cut out parts also suggest a modernish fabric.

The petticoat looks to be '30s. The large buttons are unusual for lingerie as they would show through a light fabric: can you tell if they're original?