Help Dating A St Michael Uk Sundress pls

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polkadotvintage

Registered Guest
Hi lovely VFG peeps. I’d love your help please to date this little nautical dress. I’m thinking 50s/60s maybe?
I also don’t know what to describe it as. I initially thought it was a swimsuit as it has internal support.
Any help appreciated thank you
 

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Cute dress, flattering style especially with vertical stripes. It looks like an A-line, mini dress, not sure it would be a swimsuit as I don't think they would usually have a zip. The label states 'Short', so it is probably just a petite womans sizing. What is the length from shoulder to hem?

It is definitely not 1950s, but could be mid 60s or possibly early 70s . Here are some points on the St Michael label that help with dating;

St Michael introduced Size 10 in 1962, and an R in a circle, replaced 'regd' in the mid 60s - so it will be mid 60s or later
Made in Britain - in 1970 'Made in the UK' was phased in (it could still be early 70s as it was being phased in)
By 1973, size was shown in a red circle

Does the back of the label show anything, or are there any other labels? They could provide really useful info.
e.g. washing symbols - the first washing symbols were introduced in 1966
CA (Canada) code - St Michael introduced these codes on their labels in June 1972

Inclusion, or lack of these symbols/codes, could help narrow down the date further.
 
It's cute! Agree with Sarah, it's a bit later than 1950s. I'd say most likely early 70s with the cut and design, and the useful info above really helps narrow it down :).

It could be intended as a beach dress - if you also think the package holiday exploded in the UK in the early 70s with cheap flights to the Med, there would be quite a market for beachwear.. despite our not so predictable climate, lol!
 
Hattysattic said:
It could be intended as a beach dress - if you also think the package holiday exploded in the UK in the early 70s with cheap flights to the Med, there would be quite a market for beachwear.. despite our not so predictable climate, lol!
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Agree with Harriet, I didn't think of a beach dress, but that makes sense with the internal bra/support section,
 
Thank you so much for the really helpful info @Shusteroo and apols for the delay I didn’t realise I’d had a response. Attached is the back of the label and not sure if the little 6 is a washing symbol? No other labels inside.
Thanks too @Retro Ruth and @Hattysattic I think a beach dress is a great call
 

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Ah, I didn’t notice first that the measurements are only in imperial - since 1974 they would also include metric. And, as @Shusteroo said size in a red circle was introduced in 1973. So this is an exact 1973 St Michael label, the dress itself though could be made a year or two later if they had a leftover labels they didn’t use before
 
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