Help Dating Tropical Print Dress

susanandco

susanandco

Registered Guest
This unusual drop waist dress has a gorgeous tropical print with pinapples, orchids and men fishing etc. The skirt is in 4 panels, larger ones front and back with slimmer ones on the side, and they are open, with finished hem all around. The bodice is made in 3 panels also, with a large tuck in one , as if shortened at some time. No tags of any kind. The fabric is slick smooth rayon.

 
Wow very unique, Just wanted to say I like the dress.... I have no idea on dating however... I need "classic" styles lol.... The cut and drop waist makes me think early 30sish if not late 20s (cut wise) but the fabric and actual length and the pleating makes me go more 40s,,,, then the print makes me think early 60s...

What the heck have you got here lol!! Im going 40s 50s cusper flapper inspired? Just total wild guess sorry... I liek to guess and see if I have learned anything by the time the pros chime in! :-)

Maybe a picture of the stitching inside will help, I know many gals on here know there stuff just by the stitching on the inside. I only hope to be half as good one day!

Good Luck _Jennifer
 
Are there any openings? What is the interior finish like eg - any overlocking, pinked seams, handwork?

The look and fabric of it says early '80s to me, and the cut (especially with the loose panels at the front of the skirt, slimmer ones at the sides) makes me think maternity. I'm beginning to realise that quite a few "oddly shaped" outfits out there are styled for maternity, and they can be hard to tell the difference from the usual styles.

Nicole
 
Hello, and thank you all for all the help!! The neckline is all hand stitched. The garment is put together with all straight stitch, no overlock or chain stitching. It looks as if it were possibly home made, though there are no pinked edges and no notches, as home sewers often cut. It is a mystery for sure!! Probably some one just made themselves a comfy dress from a print that just looks like something from the 1930s , 40s, or 50s.

thanks again for an expert eye!!! Susan
 
i was going to ask for a shot of the stitching too - both the hand and machine stitching.

my first thought was 80s. while the general colors look 40s, they look a bit too bright, so they give me a revival feeling. also i'd expect the yellow orchids to be more detailed. the neckline and cut is definitely not 30s-70s.
 
I am sending along more pics. I just love a good mystery. Agatha Christie is my fav author. My thoughts were that the material just had an older look to it also. But the other comments make me doubt the actualy age. The rayon is cool to the touch, but maybe slick is not the right way to describe it. Smooth, very smooth and it has a very slight shimmer to it. The photo makes it look a bit more faded than it is. The colors reminded me of the technocolor movies of the 40s with a very intense green on an orange red background.



 
It seems to test as rayon, fast orange flame, that glows as it burns out and no ash, no vinegar smell. But I agree it is probably 80s. thanks again for the input!!
 
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