Help with dating a lace dress? (image heavy, sorry)

F

foolproofed

Registered Guest
Hi all!
I've recently acquired an odd lace dress. I've never seen this lace style so I'm a bit baffled as to what year it is from, but of course I'm in no way an expert on vintage clothing. :) I should probably mention that it has no tags.

Any help would be much appreciated!

IMG_2310.jpg


IMG_2315.jpg


IMG_2314.jpg


Sorry these weren't clearly illustrated in the other photos, but it has a waist tie.

IMG_2313.jpg


Button up side

IMG_2312.jpg


IMG_2311.jpg
 
You all are definitely right about it being shortened. I just checked the hem and the thread isn't consistent with the rest of the dress.

Thanks so much for the help everyone.
 
I think it has been made from a much older dress. Are you in England by any chance? The reason I ask is because it was common to remake dresses during the war from older frocks and drapes. This looks to have been made from either lace curtains, or a lace dress from the early 1900s. The puffed sleeves, narrow, short skirt, and lack or zipper all suggest to me that the dress is from the early 40s. It is also possibly a dress that was remade twice, once in the late 1930s and again in the early 40s. but its really hard to tell without handling it. Its not a period lace for the 1930s or 40s - although that kind of embroidered net lace is being made in the 30s and 40s, it isn't worked in such a heavy thread as that. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was an English bride's wedding dress that was cut shorter for daytime wear. It's not as common for American women to be remaking older fabrics or frocks during the war, but it happens too.
 
Hi,

I agree wholeheartedly with Jonathan. My first thought was that it was a remade dress from WWII era, and that the lace used is not typical to the 1930's or 40's at all. My opinion is that it is machine made Limerick lace. I have seen that machine made Limerick lace used for circa 1900 to 1920 lace bedspreads (I have one), bed curtains, window curtains, dresser carves, and on garments as well, but not seen much after WWI or thereabouts. Hand made Limerick was indeed used on wedding gowns and fancy dresses, and was seen earlier than 1900.

Charming!

B
 
Jonathan:
I'm actually in the northwestern US, but it could be from anywhere. My grandmother gave it to me and didn't have any history on it other than she bought it last year from a man selling things from the trunk of his car, hahaha. I think it's possible that the sleeves were at one point longer as well because it shares the same thread color (cream color) as the bottom hem which differs from the rest of the rest (peachy pink color). Thank you for the input!

Rue_de_la_Paix:
Thanks for the info! I definitely need to learn my laces. :)
 
The dress may have been altered but it has a late 1930's silhouette - 1938-39 - with some earlier features. The what I would call extended jabot front and the collar is very 30's. The length is good for the latter part of the decade and the design of the lace looks right for the period.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top