help dating this vintage fifties? dress

[Ineke Veenstra]

Hi!
I bought this dress in Sweden this summer at a swap meet.
I hope it is from the fifties, but the seller also sold me an eighties dress which was more expensive, and I thought this 50's? dress is way more beautifull. So maybe it's not an original 50's dress?

I would like to know:
- the age of this dress
- if the yellow fabric at the neckline is original or later attached
- at the shoulder there are little brown bands? How do you name them and where are they used for? Maybe to clip the dress to a bra or something?

The dress:
Has a brocade print and is made of a very thick, stiff and heavy fabric
Has a detachable waistband
Closes at the side with a metal zipper from "ri ri"
Has no lining

 

[retro ruth]

- at the shoulder there are little brown bands? How do you name them and where are they used for? Maybe to clip the dress to a bra or something?

they are usually called lingerie snaps, and yes they are to clip to a bra and/or a slip, to make the sure the straps from your lingerie don't show.

I see 50s, in the construction, metal zip and zip placement. Maybe early 60s, depending on the length of the skirt, which I can't quite tell. But not 80s.

 

[Ineke Veenstra]

Thanks! The other, more expensive dress was from the eighties ;)

 

[Pinkcoke]

Can you measure the skirt from waist to hem, and the turnup as well please? I also think this is from the 50s or 60's.
The fabric pieces at the neck, when one continuous piece, are known in menswear as a slip, originally to give the illusion of wearing another garment underneath. Not sure if you can still call it a slip on womenswear. In this case I believe the owner added it either for contrast, or to show a little less skin.
It might help to determine the era, if you can show it worn or modelled in daylight, with the belt on.

 

[Ineke Veenstra]

waist to hem is 65 cm, which is 25,5 inch.
I don't know what a turnup is?

I have taken some photo's. Don't mind my sleepy head and eczema clothes underneath it. I really love the dress, but because of the fabric on my skin I can't wear it too long. :(

 

[Ineke Veenstra]

skirt is at my knees. and i'm 177 cm/70 inches tall

 

[Pinkcoke]

The hem has been turned up I think, as I can see what looks like the original hem still in place on the underside.

 

[Ineke Veenstra]

You are right! You can still see the fold in the fabric. And hey I can measure in inches ;)

 

[Pinkcoke]

Is the final edge that has been turned up, turned over again, finished or raw?

 

[Ineke Veenstra]

Raw. You can see the ending of the fabric.

 

[Catbooks1940s]

i agree, the pieces on the neckline were added later. very cute dress! also agree it's either late 50s or early 60s.