Is this a dress? A chemise?

Better Dresses Vintage

Better Dresses Vintage

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Hello friends,

This deep peachy salmon number came from an estate sale with a wide array of items including a few true antique dresses, bodices, etc. Much of the stuff was in very poor, very smelly condition, but this is superb. I can find only a few very minor snags and a pin-hole or two, and the fabric is strong. No shattering. Back from the cleaners in one piece (yay!).

It is silk and appears to be entirely hand sewn -- by which I mean actually sewn with a needle+thread. In addition it has the ecru handmade lace (I'm sure -- my grandmother was an Edwardian ladies' neck wear designer -- lots of lace) and hand-crocheted granny square details.

Lola the Mannequin is 6 ft tall, so on an average height woman it would be about knee length, maybe longer.

It has very wide proportions: bust: 50", at drop-waist seam: 44", bodice 27" long (down center), peplum/skirt: 9.75" long

The "dress/chemise" is identical front and back. Same details, quadruple vertical tucks, and "bust" darts! The ONLY difference I can see is that the piping at the neck joins in the center on one side and the lace joins in the center on the other.

One additional thing -- there is a cotton binding tape along the interior of the drop waist. It may actually be machine stitched.

So, what is it and when is it from? I'll keep my guess to myself for now ; )...

Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!
p.s. photos make it look more orange than it actually is
 
Looks like a '20s dress, Liza Jane - and I wonder if the lace squares on the dropped skirt are a kind of belt look for a hip sash to go through? Very nice. The stitching on the waist does look machine done - and by the proportions, I'd say this was for a very busty lady.

Nicole
 
Hi Nicole - That sash theory makes a lot of sense. Perhaps the dress maker didn't take the same time/effort knowing it would be covered, which would explain it's wigglyness compared with the hand stitching, which is actually straighter! It's too bad there was no sash to be found with it.

Can't believe the condition this is in. It's amazing to me.

Thanks for the response.
 
Without seeing the inside of the seam I couldn't be sure but I wonder if that 'skirt' has been shorted to remove a bad tear/hole etc.
 
I too suspect that the dress was previously shortened. I can see through to see how far the hem is sewn up inside the bottom. I would think that the bottom would have a narrow hem like the sleeve and collar edges.
A sash would have made total sense and I would agree with 20s dating.

Caryn
 
Ladies, thank you for your help. And here is an interior photo, although now I think I may have only shot the cotton tape. The hem is 2.25", which seems a bit large to me, as well. It is very nicely hand-stitched.

Keep in mind, though, that the "model" is 6 feet tall. The dress is longer than it looks on Lola, even with a raised hem.

Meanwhile, PLEASE see my latest post, as I am afraid to even say out loud what I think this next one might be...
 
Originally posted by LizaJane3
Hello friends,

This deep peachy salmon number came from an estate sale with a wide array of items including a few true antique dresses, bodices, etc. Much of the stuff was in very poor, very smelly condition, but this is superb. I can find only a few very minor snags and a pin-hole or two, and the fabric is strong. No shattering. Back from the cleaners in one piece (yay!).

It is silk and appears to be entirely hand sewn -- by which I mean actually sewn with a needle+thread. In addition it has the ecru handmade lace (I'm sure -- my grandmother was an Edwardian ladies' neck wear designer -- lots of lace) and hand-crocheted granny square details.

Lola the Mannequin is 6 ft tall, so on an average height woman it would be about knee length, maybe longer.

It has very wide proportions: bust: 50", at drop-waist seam: 44", bodice 27" long (down center), peplum/skirt: 9.75" long

The "dress/chemise" is identical front and back. Same details, quadruple vertical tucks, and "bust" darts! The ONLY difference I can see is that the piping at the neck joins in the center on one side and the lace joins in the center on the other.

One additional thing -- there is a cotton binding tape along the interior of the drop waist. It may actually be machine stitched.

So, what is it and when is it from? I'll keep my guess to myself for now ; )...

Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!
p.s. photos make it look more orange than it actually is
Click to expand...

I don't know what it is but it is fantastic!
 
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