Information on Doctor Dress Co. 1940s ?

Mississippi Luta

Mississippi Luta

Registered Guest
Hello all! I found a gorgeous dress yesterday, with the label "I. Doctor". I have found very little information on it, except that it appeared in Vogue numerous times during the 1940s, and then sort of vanished. Any resources/information would be appreciated, especially any information on where I could get it appraised or valued. This is my very first post, so if I have done anything wrong or committed a faux-pas with this post, please let me know!!

doctor1.JPGdoctor2.JPG
 
Thanks for the quick reply! I'm not sure of the fabric, but it is like a heavy linen or twill, sort of like heavy old drapery. And yes- the zipper is metal, and the edges are not serged, they are pinked (dragon teeth), so that's why I assumed it was definitely pre-1960. There is also a date "1944" written on the tag, so I assume it may have been in someone's possession who dated it as such but I wanted to be sure. I know it's hard to tell from my photo (sorry) but it is the classic conservative sheath type shape, with a bit of an a-line skirt. I could find no ads after 1956 for "Doctor Dress Co." It also has slight shoulder pads, a nipped-in-waist, and a calf-length skirt.
 
I've seen '60s and '70s and even '80s dresses with pinked seams: it's not a hard and fast rule. I'd also be wary of the numbers written on the tag: if this was from '44 it would probably have bigger shoulder pads, for starters.

Perhaps if you could post bigger photos we could see it better? A model or mannequin might show the shape better. It looks a bit short for the '50s but perhaps if the hem has been shortened it is? Still looks '60s to me on the current information.

I found this old thread about the I. Doctor label.
 
Yep, you're totally right about the pinking. What led to my immediate assumption about the date was not the dress itself but the label and its appearance in Vogue magazine in the 1940s and early 1950s only. After that, the attributes of the dress served to either confirm or confuse my assumption, so that's why I decided to ask more about the label/company, which reads "I. Doctor" (the company, as you already know, was called Doctor Dress Co. Inc.) When I tried to find any information on it, my search led me to that post you just mentioned- I love how I can always rely on VFG for leads! Unfortunately, that's where the trail ended, so I was hoping someone else had information on this company. Sorry about the photos (and the lack thereof). I'm just in the process of moving house so everything's such a mess right now, but I'll try to post more information/pictures tonight. Again, thanks so much for your help. You've already been a tremendous help...
-Nicole
 
I guess there's no other information than what's on the actual Vogue ads, then. Too bad- it seems like they produced some beautiful garments! Thanks again.
Doctor Dress Co 1947 001.jpg
 
Hi,
The only thing I can add is that I noticed the address for the Doctor Dress Company. That is actually the International Tailoring Company Building in Chicago, which is a national landmark. Perhaps the International Tailoring Company is somehow involved with the Doctor Dress Company? Just something to look into it!
 
Hi. I currently have an I Doctor Dress from the earlier part of the 1960's. I haven't found any more info on the company than has been mentioned here, but I can tell you that the company was around in the early 60's. My dress also has pinked seams as well as a 1955-1963 ILGWU (union label) stitched into the side seam of the skirt towards the hem. If you haven't already, check for the Union label in your dress and then check the VFG link below for your labels date range. http://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/ilgwu/ Hope this helps :)
 
I just found an ad from 1950, for I Doctor, half-sizes while searching for the other dress that Tabbyannabel asked about. Then I did another search and found ads from 1944 -1950, and just now an ad for an I. Doctor Dress trunk show in September, 1967 - so I. Doctor was around for some time. The last reference I found - is 1973 and that ad is for Doctor Dress.

Linn
 
Wow- you guys are INCREDIBLE. Seriously. Thanks so much for all this info. I did look for a Union label first (thanks to VFG, I know it's a good indication of date-range) but couldn't find one anywhere. The metal zipper has a "CC" in script font but couldn't find any info on a zipper company like that. Nicole was right about the shoulder pads, though- I'm sure they'd be more pronounced if it was 1940s. I think that it's probably a late 1950s or early 1960s dress, like Nicole said. I've attached more pictures. Lovely, isn't it? I've learned so much from you guys about dating vintage- you're the best!

Doctor1.jpg doctor2.jpg Doctor3.jpg
 
Mississippi Luta said:
Hello all! I found a gorgeous dress yesterday, with the label "I. Doctor". I have found very little information on it, except that it appeared in Vogue numerous times during the 1940s, and then sort of vanished. Any resources/information would be appreciated, especially any information on where I could get it appraised or valued. This is my very first post, so if I have done anything wrong or committed a faux-pas with this post, please let me know!!

View attachment 5420View attachment 5422
Click to expand...
Hello,
My wife's father was a manager for Isadore Doctor (Doctor Dress) her father's mother (wife's grandmother) was the head seamstress for DD. She made dresses for the likes of singers Kate Smith and Ethel Merman!
Isadore Doctor (founder) my father in law worked there from 1945 to about 1966 when DD was forced to close!
If I can help more let us know!
Thank you,
Michael Machacek
 
Michael Machacek said:
Hello,
My wife's father was a manager for Isadore Doctor (Doctor Dress) her father's mother (wife's grandmother) was the head seamstress for DD. She made dresses for the likes of singers Kate Smith and Ethel Merman!
Isadore Doctor (founder) my father in law worked there from 1945 to about 1966 when DD was forced to close!
If I can help more let us know!
Thank you,
Michael Machacek
Click to expand...
 
My mother worked for I. Doctor in the late 40's and early 50's. The dresses were "half sizes" which today we would call Women's. My mother was an assistant to Leo Weil who was the manufacturer's rep. He sold to department stores east of the Mississippi. They made smaller dresses for the models and my mother modelled them.
 
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