Help dating a few items

Vintagiality

VFG Treasurer
I have a few things I am trying to date as well as a few questions and would truly appreciate your help.

1. Pink dress - fabric has sheen and changes color slightly depending on the angle of the light. Taffeta? Maybe 60s? No label besides an old dry clean tag
2. Green velvet? gown - big bows on each cuff. Does this style bodice have a name? Maybe 80s? Label: Petite Lanz
3. Striped silk shirt dress - Maybe 80s? Label: LL Bean
4. Filene's plush/ velvet? messenger bag - Maybe 70s? Couldn't find this label in the label resources.

Thank you so much in advance.
Victoria
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Hi Victoria - welcome to the VFG! If you read this following thread before posting questions, it will be helpful for all. Particularly this part:

"Please ask us about one piece per post; and include as much pertinent information as possible: the type of fabric, any openings, zippers, zipper pulls, type of interior construction and seaming, shots of the labels, buttons if they are unusual, etc."


It makes it much easier to discuss just one piece at a time, and that way the thread will remain focused rather than getting long and confusing. The extra information will also save us asking these questions.

thank you.
 
Nicole,

Sorry for posting in one thread. I had inadvertently missed that rule so thank you for pointing it out. I did see a number of other threads with a number of items in the same thread while researching so I actually thought it was more convenient. Now that I know the rule, I will make sure that I don't do it again. Do I need to repost this one or may I get a "free pass":)?

Thank you.
Victoria
 
Victoria, the quality of the responses you get will be aided greatly by providing extra information - on what you have so far, I'll date the first three as '80s (more information may narrow that down or change it) and the handbag I'm not sure about: looks '80s or perhaps more modern.
 
I see that you're thinking '60s for the first one: can you tell us why you think that? What sort of zipper and construction does it have? Can you tell us more about the fabric? Also, is it lined, does it have any boning?
 
Nicole,

The pink dress is fully lined. It has no zipper. It closes in the back with a number of loops and fabric covered buttons which are metal on the bottom (second photo). I thought these were popular in the 60s since I saw many supposedly 60s dresses with such closure on etsy. There is no boning. The fabric is fairly lightweight and changes color somewhat depending on the light. I wish I knew more fabric terminology to describe it.
I also thought 80s on the other two dresses. Neither is lined. The LL Bean one is silk. The other, based on the tag (photo above) has an acetate skirt and rayon top, slightly puffy sleeves with oversized bows at cuff. Are you familiar with Petite Lanz? I saw Lanz labels in the resources and it seems to be the same company.

The Filene's messenger bag looks hippie/ boho to me due to both the material and the design which is why I thought early 70s. I couldn't find this particular Filene's label anywhere.

Thank you so much.
Victoria
 
I can see the first dress being a custom made bridesmaid or prom dress, I agree it appears 1980's. The rosette on the back is a particular 80's/90's feature I have seen before, as was the full buttoned back that has been popular ever since.
The second is definetly 1980's, you will notice the V-shaped skirt/bodice seam is exactly the same shape as the first dress, and they both follow the princess line (vertical, fitted seams that follow the body) another sign they were produced in the same period.
I like the third dress very much, 80's doing 50's, the label gives it away as being more modern, and in hand probably the fabric would be noticeably more modern too.
 
It looks like polished cotton or cotton sateen, but you mentioned taffeta - only you can feel it, so perhaps go and visit a fabric shop and see if you can find something similar? Someone who knows fabric can easily tell by touching and seeing it.
 
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