Help with dating pencil dress

[plousia]

I found a nice black pencil/wiggle dress at a thrift store and am uncertain about its dating. The style says maybe 1960s to me, but other things make me unsure it's that old. It has no labels, but the construction doesn't really look homemade.

The fabric is a black floral jacquard/brocade. It has princess-line construction, scoop neck, short set-in sleeves, classic hourglass/pencil silhouette, two slits (one mid-back and one left front where the princess seam ends). It's fairly long, falling between mid-calf and ankle-length on me (I'm 5'3"). It has an invisible back zipper which seems to be nylon or plastic with a metal pull. It has thin shoulder pads, serged seams, and nylon (I think?) lining.

The fabric has a bit of overall pulling/pilling to it, worse on the shoulders, but you can't really tell unless you look closely.

Thanks in advance for any clues.

 

[retro ruth]

I think it's much newer than 60s. 80s or 90s, someone will probably know more precisely.

That off centre split at front is ringing bells, but I can't remember when that was "a thing"

 

[plousia]

I think it's much newer than 60s. 80s or 90s, someone will probably know more precisely.

That off centre split at front is ringing bells, but I can't remember when that was "a thing"

Thanks, that was my guess as well. I would have liked to think it was 60s but some things just looked too new.

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

The shoulder pads and plastic zipper put it in the 1980s early 90s era.

 

[Vinclothes]

Regardless of decade, it is a flattering dress. I agree, early 80's.
Marian

 

[plousia]

Regardless of decade, it is a flattering dress. I agree, early 80's.
Marian

Thanks! Agreed, regardless of the era I bought it because it is amazingly flattering on. I truly did not know that this style of dress was being made in the 80s. Most 80s fashion looks so tacky to me (no offense to those who like it).

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thanks! Agreed, regardless of the era I bought it because it is amazingly flattering on. I truly did not know that this style of dress was being made in the 80s. Most 80s fashion looks so tacky to me (no offense to those who like it).

I was in my 20s in the 1980s and I can vouch for the fact that there were different "looks" one could cultivate during that time. Yes, there was a lot of really outlandish fashion, make-up, and hair but there were more toned-down "looks" some people went for, too (including me). Think of all the different popular fashion "aesthetics" there are now... my two daughters dress very differently from one another.
You have a beautiful fitted LBD and that's just something I would have worn back then... and would still wear today if my figure allowed it! I loved princess-line dresses, they're so flattering.

 

[plousia]

I was in my 20s in the 1980s and I can vouch for the fact that there were different "looks" one could cultivate during that time. Yes, there was a lot of really outlandish fashion, make-up, and hair but there were more toned-down "looks" some people went for, too (including me). Think of all the different popular fashion "aesthetics" there are now... my two daughters dress very differently from one another.
You have a beautiful fitted LBD and that's just something I would have worn back then... and would still wear today if my figure allowed it! I loved princess-line dresses, they're so flattering.

True that! I was born in 1980 and was not a girly-girl so didn't really pay attention to fashion, just wore whatever hand-me-downs my mom got from who knows where. Come to think of it, maybe that's where my love of vintage clothes came from, though I can tell you as me and my siblings got older we HATED wearing used clothes! It wasn't until I was in my early 20s and had friends who were into vintage that it became "cool" :D