Help dating a dress?

Moonchild

Moonchild

Registered Guest
Hi! I'm having a bit of trouble dating this dress.
It has shoulder pads (sort of thick but not too bad), so it definitely tells me "1980's" ish.
But the style is sort of confusing.
It doesn't look very 1980's to me, it looks more 60's. But I'm thinking...
It's homemade, but I'm thinking it's made in the 80's with an older pattern with maybe a 1970's fabric. Is that too far off?

I'm still learning to identify and read vintage clothing, so I'm really sorry if I'm completely off! :)

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Are the shoulder pads foam? Are they in the same fabric as the dress? Are they original to the dress? The zipper looks older than 80s but it could have been added later. Can you take some pictures of the seam where the zipper is stitched in? And maybe the inside of the neckline?.
 
GemGem said:
Are the shoulder pads foam? Are they in the same fabric as the dress? Are they original to the dress? The zipper looks older than 80s but it could have been added later. Can you take some pictures of the seam where the zipper is stitched in? And maybe the inside of the neckline?.
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Are the shoulder pads foam: Yes. They were sowed on with the exact same thread color as the rest of the dress, so I think they were added when the dress was made. Although it's not too hard to find an exact color match to a thread.. But I don't know
Same fabric: No, here's a picture
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Original to the dress: I'm not sure if they are original to the dress. I suspect they are, cause of the thread used to sow them on, but they really seem out of place from the rest of the dress.


Here are pics of zipper and neck. - I found a name... ?
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Could you show a clear picture of the sticker that seems to be on the shoulder pad? Or write the words in text?
It's a little confusing, the construction of the dress does look earlier than 80s to me but there is some conflict with other parts of the dress. The experts will know more.
 
GemGem said:
Could you show a clear picture of the sticker that seems to be on the shoulder pad? Or write the words in text?
It's a little confusing, the construction of the dress does look earlier than 80s to me but there is some conflict with other parts of the dress. The experts will know more.
Click to expand...

I agree! The dress is confusing indeed.
The text says "VERSAR Solosecco Pasaz" ??
 
Avantbo said:
The cloth looks a little like light upholstery material.
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Yeah, I'm not sure what the material is, but it's not as rough as light uphostery material even though I does look a bit like it. It is bit scratchy and warm, though, so I would guess a wool blend but don't quote me on it! I'm definitely not sure :')
 
Moonchild said:
Yeah, I'm not sure what the material is, but it's not as rough as light uphostery material even though I does look a bit like it. It is bit scratchy and warm, though, so I would guess a wool blend but don't quote me on it! I'm definitely not sure :')
Click to expand...

You could try the burn test on a few strands of the fabric, carefully. When I do the burn test I do it over a sink incase I need to let go of the fabric quickly. The fabric usually only burns very quickly when it is a synthetic fabric. There is a guide on here somewhere to help identify fabric by doing the burns test.
 
You can find the information on the burn test here: https://vintagefashionguild.org/determining-fiber/.

My vote is for 80s too - the whole shoulder and neckline to me says 80s. And of course a home sewer might have used older materials or older techniques. The zipper has been sewn in very nicely by hand - I like that!

The only thing that I find a little strange is that all seam allowances are finished with a zig zag stitch, except at the hem, which was done by hand... so maybe someone who didn't have a sewing machine shortened it?
 
Looks very '80s, home sewn to me too. The sweetheart neckline, drop waist and broad shoulder-line was typical of the time and inspired by the '40s. The side zipper is uncommon for '80s but may have been personal preference (maybe it was even made to a '40s pattern?). The hem isn't as well done as the rest so I wonder if it's been shortened?
 
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