any help dating this wrap dress would be appreciated. two snap closures at waist. i was thinking 30s / 40s ? also, anyone know what fabric this might be? tried to soak, bled heavily ! any help appreciated : )
Hmm, that's unusual dress: looks too fancy for a dressing gown but I haven't seen a wrap dress like this before. Can you please tell us if there are any shoulder pads, and how the seams and hem are sewn? Do you have a photo of the snaps? A close up and description of the fabric would help too: does it feel cool or warm to the touch? The dye running suggests that it's been dyed by a home dyer. If it was '30s-'40s I'd expect it to be rayon crepe but I can't tell from your photos and that wouldn't run and if you soaked it, would likely shrink or rip so I doubt that's it.
Could this be a hospital garment or patient smock of some kind, dyed as well as hemmed up from original length?
There are no shoulder pads, I've attached some close up photos of the fabric. I'd say it feels cool? It has a slight texture to it. Thank you for your help!
That low cut armsceye and the bodice fit with the wrap look 1980s to me. An 80s does 40s look, perhaps. Some of these dresses has detachable shoulder pads. It just looks from the drapey fit around the armhole that it really wants some lift at the shoulders. There were a lot of silk dresses in the 80s that were inexpensive silk and dryclean only. They did tend to dye run if handwashed.
I agree with Hollis. A second look and it does look ‘80s. That colour was big in ‘83, it might not have had shoulder pads if that’s the date. Agree it’s likely silk and designed for dry cleaning so wouldn’t run.
