Is there a name for this bodice treatment?

MyVintageCocktail

MyVintageCocktail

VFG Member
'Scuse the rough pics on this--dress hasn't been steamed or cleaned yet, and it was huge on my dress form. But hopefully you can see the unique details on the bodice. It has a narrow pleat running down from the collar on each side, over each boob, surplice neckline, and inverted "W" waistline.

Any help with a technical term or keywords would be very much appreciated! And this is early 50s, isn't it? Also, there are two faint water stains on the skirt; do you think these are likely to come out with cleaning? The fabric is silk gabardine, or a very high-quality, high luster rayon (but I think silk; haven't burn tested it, though).

turqdressfront.jpg


turqdressbodice.jpg


Well, the skirt treatment's not to shabby, either, with a multitude of narrow gores falling from the waist and widening on down the skirt. (the moire is in the photo, not the fabric)

turqdresswaist_and_hip.jpg
 
Amanda, I don't "think" the waist is dropped. The dress is very long--made, it seems, for a large, tall woman and was too long for my petite little dress form. It may sit slightly below the natural waist, but I doubt by much.

I think it would be fun to wear, Julie! The skirt is very swingy, and the lines of the dress are so interesting (IMHO, anyway!). I love the color, too....

The bodice treatment almost makes it look as if the top is 2 pieces, but, of course, it's not. I don't think I've seen anything quite like it before. So, "Rare" it is!
 
Yes, it's 1952/53ish when the neckline was a big feature on dresses and blouses. It's a pretty classic style for the period even though the neckline may appear to be unusual. I would be wary to use the term 'rare'. It has a cross-over pleated bodice inset into a deep shaped waistband. I hope it cleans up for you, it is a really good dress.
 
Oh, yes, that's it! And vertugarde has confirmed the dating I was thinking it is. Thank you both! I was having a hard time visualizing exactly how it would fall on a body that it fit, but I can see it now.... I should think, as Amanda said, this would be a very flattering style on a statuesque woman with nice curves! The hip treatment would be slimming, I would think; all those narrow, flat gores with the vertical seaming would lengthen out/slenderize the hip--ha; too bad it doesn't fit me; I could use that.....

And I won't use the term "rare," although I think it is pretty special. I'm going to send it off to the cleaner's this week, and will post a shot of it when my wonderful cleaner gets done with it. It is very structurally sound, with sturdy, yet fine, fabric, so I don't think they'll have a problem getting it cleaned.
 
Add me to those who really like it. Another stunner! The color is one of my favorites. Statuesque is not an adjective that applies to me but if it were my size I'd love to own it.

Linn
 
I'm hoping, Linn, that it will be an easy sell due to its size--about a modern 14 or so, I'd guess. (I bet you're a smaller size than that, but I wish it would fit you, too--nice to have someone who would appreciate it!)

It almost fits me and looks pretty good on me, if I do say so myself, but I would have to shorten it both at the waist and at the hem, and I don't want to mess with its original lines at all..... So it's off to the sales block after cleaning!
 
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