help dating cut out dress

[Aimee]

any help dating this garment would be appreciated.

all over hole cut out detail / not sure what that would be called?

metal side zipper, no tag

 

[bycinbyhand]

Eyelet?

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I had a '30s dress like this once and it turned out that the black dye (iron mordant) had eaten away the fabric underneath, creating the holes. But it wasn't a design feature, it was damage from the dye.

I can't see yours in enough detail to see if it's something similar so it could be eyelet or it could be iron mordant: do you have any nice, clear close ups of the holes?

 

[carla rey]

I agree with Nicole about the dye eating away at the fabric, I've had some dresses like this before.

 

[claireshaeffer]

In the 80s, I had some fabric with irregular holes. Each had a slightly "rubberized trim" around them. I don't know how the fabric was manufactured. I don't think I have any scraps or the garment now.
With a metal zip, this is obviously much earlier.