Help with dating 3 dresses, pre 50s?

[Vmode]

Hi guys,

Below are 3 lovely vintage frocks that I'd like some expert info on, if anyone can help? None have original labels, the green one was bought from the Topshop vintage section so has their 'peekaboo' label in.. I don't like it and will be unpicking

1- Mauve and magenta silk/rayon-crepe feel fabric, with bias cut skirt that flares gently towards the bottom. the chest and neck fasten with sweet little popstuds, and is detailed with a bow that is studded with small brass domes- as are the cuffs. Shaped yoke and metal side zip, very sweet small shoulder pads. Possibly 30s, or am I way off the mark?

2- Two tone green (possibly rayon) with drop waist pleated skirt, side metal zip and waist ties. Lovely shaped neckline. Topshop reckoned this was a 50s piece but it feels earlier to me in design and fabric..

3- Black taffeta shirt waister style, with poppers at the chest and small collar. 3/4 sleeves with shaped turn back cuffs, shoulder pads that may have been added at a later date. Long skirt, in panels for gentle flare.

Thanks all!

 

[Pinkcoke]

I couldn't be sure the studs on the first dress are original - they're the sort of thing that would be added to make it appeal more within current trends, are you able to see if the fabric is the same or different colour underneath one?, also do they have spokes that go all the way through the fabric or only one layer?

the second dress's zip looks like a 'lightning' zip to me (they have a distinctive shape) could you see if this in written on the pull or tab? All my lightning zip garments have been 60's or later.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

The first one looks late '30s, with a bit of colour run from the skirt - a pity, these should only be dry cleaned IMHO. The studs look more '40s so perhaps they were added to update it? They're very cute. It's a nice dress, great colour.

The second one looks '40s: great colour again! Are there any shoulder pads?

The third one is very late '40s to very early '50s, about '49-51ish. I love these styles, the shoulder pads are probably original but if you show a pic it will help.

So Topshop sew their own labels into the vintage? Interesting. Does it include care and fabric instructions or just their label's name. I'm really in two minds about shops putting their own labels into vintage. I can justify if it has useful information though.

Nicole

 

[missproper]

Really pretty dresses! My guesses are:

Mauve/magenta - late 30's/early 40's
Green - 40's
Black - early 50's

 

[retro ruth]

Topshop vintage is mostly a concession store called Peekaboo rather than Topshop themselves. They have their own shop and online shop as well. As far as I recall from the few pieces I've handled the label doesn't have any useful information - it's just branding.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

thank you Golden Age!

Nicole

 

[Vmode]

Oooh thanks everybody, Nicole & Goldenage; That's around what I was thinking, thank you very much for clarifying

The first piece was actually sold to me as 1970s, one of my best ebay finds! The picture provided was really fuzzy with no details, so it was a bit of a gamble. And I'm afraid it looks as though it has been stored crumpled in a ball with the body touching the skirt, and then got damp- there is the magenta colour run in crease lines to the body. But I still love it.

The green one is so so gorgeous and in fab condition, I just wish it suited me!

Could anyone advise the kind of prices you'd expect to see these dresses at? The mauve and black dresses are not without faults so that will obviously affect it, but if they were in perfect condition..? I haven't seen many similar pieces.

I've had a couple of items from the Peekaboo section and none have had the care labels or original labels in.. I wonder if they actually remove them to replace, or whether they only take on non 'branded' pieces... That would be such a shame!

Oh Pinkcoke, the green dress does have a Lightning zip, and the mauve actually has also! I couldn't find any company info on them, but if you'd like for your zippy records:

.. that's a cute wee zip!

 

[Pinkcoke]

Thankyou! They can be quite useful, the rounded one is more common, obviously because it's later and there are more pieces around but the rectangular one I've only just seen on a website that was linked here.(they specialised in jeans/jackets?) who were recording zip makers pulls.