Help dating this dress

[velvetpinvintage]

Trying to date this dress by janet taylor for lord and taylor. I think 50s perhaps? Maybe 60? Not much info about this label. Thank you for any tips. Its black rayon with a side metal zipper and hook front closure

 

[Joji Furukawa]

I would say maybe late 1940s? I'm not really and expert but the side zipper and the style make me think that it's maybe from earlier.

 

[BonniesVintageClothesLine]

The Lord and Taylor label looks like the early 1950s label pictured in our label resource.

 

[velvetpinvintage]

I saw this too. Just the shape confuses me.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

It's really hard to see what's going on with this dress, and it looks a bit big for your mannequin so I'll ask some questions - firstly, is it correct to say that the zipper on the left hand side with the buttons down the front? It sounds like the buttons are just for show with a hook closure at the top? What are the measurements of the dress, that will help date it. Are there any shoulder pads or signs that there were any? Are you confident that the dress is not back to front? How are the seams and hem finished?

It looks like a crepe, and the style does look late '40s but additional information will help - plain black dresses can be hard at times so that's why I go on construction details.

 

[velvetpinvintage]

O will check if there were any shoulder pads when i get home. But the dress is ab 4-6 modern size. And the hook closure at front is for real. It is very decorative but you have to open the hooks to put the dress on. The zipper itself wont do. Def rayon crepe. And def has an old feeling to it. It is pretty long but not to the feet on me and im 5.4. I saw some similar shapes in 40s sears catalogue but not exactly.
By the way I live this dating investigation and trying to figure things out. Im really getting into it. Vintage fashion is simply fascinating.