Help Dating A Wedding Dress (+ is it worth getting restored?)

[Threadechoes]

Can anyone help me figure out the era of this wedding dress? 1950s?

It has no label, it's hand-sewn (with store-bought dress liners.) I think it's real satin. It has a very long train that I couldn't fully capture.

I would like to sell it and put some funds towards my own wedding but it has stains, a small hole, and one of the buttons is broken. I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble and money to get it cleaned and repaired. I know you don't appraise, but I hope you can at least get put me on the road to figuring out what it is so I can figure out what it is (or isn't) worth.

Thanks!

(Kitty is salivating..)

Hole is right on the chest, little smaller than 1/8". Boutonnière?

 

[Jonathan]

Postwar rayon slipper satin wedding dress typical of baby boom generation parents, c. 1947 - 1951... They survive in the millions. We dont' accept them at the museum anymore unless they are AMAZING, worn by someone famous, or have a really interesting story attached, AND have photos of the original wearer etc. and even then we might not take it. I think we have 6 or 7... I would sell as is, for parts, if nothing else. Someone may want the fabric to reline a coat, or upcycle....

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Sad, but yes, very true.

 

[Midge]

It' still a pretty dress. Sell it as it is, check Ebay sold items for an idea what this kind of dress may sell for.

If I may give a hint... you write "real satin". Please note satin is a fabric type and has nothing to do with the material content. For example, satin can be made from silk, polyester - or rayon as Jonathan said, which all are different material types.

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

I have great difficulty selling vintage wedding gowns, unless they are very special. And the expense at getting them cleaned, is prohibitive.

 

[Threadechoes]

NEWS! So, I listed this dress as an auction for $9.99 with a buy it now price of $45 and started at 9pm last night. When I woke up it had sold! https://www.ebay.com/itm/AS-IS-1940...g-Dress-Rayon-Slipper-Satin-0-XS/124076636167

Did I sell it too low!?

 

[Jonathan]

NEWS! So, I listed this dress as an auction for $9.99 with a buy it now price of $45 and started at 9pm last night. When I woke up it had sold! https://www.ebay.com/itm/AS-IS-1940...g-Dress-Rayon-Slipper-Satin-0-XS/124076636167

Did I sell it too low!?

IMHO - I think you did just fine.

 

[amandainvermont]

I also think you did well - particularly considering the flaws. As Jonathan said, unless a wedding dress is super-special they can be hard sells. Congrats.

 

[Threadechoes]

Thanks so much to everyone for sharing your knowledge about this dress! Special thanks to @Jonathan for helping me to describe it in my listing!

 

[pastperfect2]

Given the small waist size, I think you did very well. I have had one of these cleaned, and it ran me $75 ( because it's a wedding dress and there's a lot of fabric!)