Help please - dress dating & cleaning tips

alrm198

alrm198

Registered Guest
Hello all :hiya:

I've been a lurker on the forums for a while now using the forum as my number one resource for all my vintage q & a.

I'm sorry to post so soon (after finally signing up!) but I was wondering if someone could help me with dating a dress that I have? I believe it to be 1970's but I'm not so sure, the only real reason for me thinking this is due to the fact it's a maxi and is quite heavy with a keyhole back.

I found a label on it but all it really had was "hand wash with care" and a size label, which is a 12. There's no label to say what fabric it actually is... although the chest internal area has a silk lining. The zip is also quite heavy, it's not like the zips you would find on a garment today (if that makes sense?!)

Also, does anyone know how I would go about cleaning it? It has some discolouration spotting lightly in areas but quite a fair bit in others, like on the inside of the garment. I'm hoping this will come out with a steam clean maybe? My other idea was to bathe it in some Vanish in a bucket, but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea! If it can't be cleaned, am I right in thinking it is too far gone to save? :puzzled:

I've attached some photographs which will hopefully help with the dating of it! If anyone would like more photo's, I'm more than happy to provide them.

Thank you for your time! xo :)

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I would agree with 1970s - it's good you have that label so you know it can be soaked. Steaming won't get stains out - you need to agitate the fibres by washing it - the 'with care' part probably means the upper fabric might not stand too much rubbing and bobble up. I would go with the Vanish in a soak but work on the stains a little in the water before leaving it for some time. I've found with a light colour you may have to go back and do it once or twice more because as it dries the faint marks appear again but usually you can get the worst out.
 
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for the quick response! :)
Fantastic - I feel quite pleased with my dating guestimation! :clapping:
It's good to know that if something has a label on it, it generally means it can be soaked too!
I'll go easy on it when agitating the fibres in the Vanish and hope that it eventually makes the stains disappear after a good few soaks!
xo
 
Yes Vanish is a British product. Like Oxyclean, I think.

Actually they make different products. I use Vanish Spray stain remover all the time in my own laundry - I'm pretty sure that's an Enzyme cleaner, rather than oxi. They do an oxi spray as well.
 
It looks like its made of cotton pique. I would shy away from using one of those oxyclean/vanish products to start off with because it tends to yellow cotton months later. I would start with a light wash and see how the stains come out - they may lift after a light soak and drip dry. If that doesn't work then employ a whitener, but don't use bleach. Also, I think the dress is 60s - white cotton pique is used a lot in the mid-late 60s, and the low cut, high waist looks middly 60s 65-66. The keyhole is a popular 70s design, but it starts in the 60s. I see it with big back combed hair with a flip, dark tan, pale lipstick, and white stilettos - more Bond girl than Mod girl.
 
Ah, good information Jonathan, re Oxywashes. Hope we aren't too late!

Another British product I use a lot for soaking is Biotex, which is an enzyme cleaner, and so probably wouldn't yellow things. I love Biotex, my mother used it and I use it, but it's less commonly found now that everyone uses oxi-type soaks.
 
Yep, Vanish is an oxi-type cleaner as well, and I think it's being sold all over Europe. I only ever use it on my kitchen towels etc. to get them a bit whiter again. I have another whitening product here called "Baby White", but I think it's a Swiss product. Been around since I was a child too, my mom used to use it too. If you soak it too long or use too much of it, it will yellow things as well - I've learned to be careful with these kind of products.
My first try is always a gentle wash with soap, before I try anything more aggressive.
Jonathan - you nailed it. I can practically see it before my inner eye!

Karin
 
Thank you everyone for your replies! And no, you're not too late :USETHUMBUP: I haven't washed it yet!
I think I will give it a delicate wash in the machine and let it dry whilst hung up... see how that goes.

Jonathan, I really need to get myself some white stilettos now! (Then all I have to do is learn how to walk in them! :rolleyes:)
My OH will be pleased if I dress it up like a Bond Girl. (Bond is the only fiction he likes!) :drinking2: Haha!

Hmmm... Ursula Andress or Daniela Bianchi...
xo
 
I have learned to use water for the first wash of any washable vintage. I sometimes add just one squirt of a spotting/stain remover product. You would be amazed how much dirt and grunge comes out with just water. Then you can address stains and areas that did not come clean with products. It is so easy to overuse and over rely on chemicals and it is hard to get the residue out and/or problems from their use develop later. Good luck,
Marian
 
big back combed hair with a flip, dark tan, pale lipstick, and white stilettos - more Bond girl than Mod girl.:clapping:
 
Hi all, just dropping by to let you know I washed the dress in the machine with a little detergent and it has come out looking almost brand new! There's still some light speckles but can't see them unless you know where to look. I am so happy with the outcome. Thank you all for the advice :-)
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That's grand! Does it have pockets in front? I have a dress with those and have never fathomed why - you're hardly likely to use them for storage or put your hands there when it would give you a stomach....
 
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