Last question - 50s/60s dress, fabric

[Midge]

So, the last item I have some questions about... this cutie has issues (holes - and to mend them this needs someone who's better at that than me), and it's just too tight for comfort in the waist for me, so I have decided to let it go on to another home . So I need a little more advice... I couldn't put it on my manni though, because of the waist.

So - dating first. I was veering between 50s and early 60s ? Maybe I've been looking at too much stuff today... It's not very long (skirt is about 23 1/2 inches long from waist). Side zip (Riri is a Swiss zip make), and two hooks & eyes at the front to close the top.

This inlay was used to make the skirt stiffer - it feels kinda papery and is quite stiff, and I think it's something that's been shown/talked about in this forum before, but I can't remember the post .

And last - how would you describe this fabric? It's fairly thick, but not stiff - no idea on fabric content except the metallic thread. It's always a little harder describing things in a foreign language...

Thanks!

Karin

 

[bycin]

Judging by that label, I'm not sure it's either 50s or 60s. boy, this is one of those dresses you just want to hold a while... but I'm pretty sure it's not either decade.

 

[Pinkcoke]

I would say the label and zip fit with those periods and can also say I have the same lining in a 60's brocade shift dress.
I also have the box pleated skirt in two 50's dresses so can see why you're veering between the two! The bust and waist measurements may help to decide how early or late in the decades it is.
I'm sure I've seen that fabric used to make jackets before to but couldn't put a name to it sorry.

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

Karin, that's an adorable dress! The papery lining is pellon. I think this is 50s. Is that the hemline you are showing in the photo with the pellon? If so, it looks to have been shortened, in which case the length might not be a good marker.

I've had 50s' dresses with the wider collars and the wide belts, as well as the box-pleated skirt. And lurex threads are fairly common in the 50s as well as the 60s. But, while you'll see box-pleated skirts in the 60s, I, personally, have not seen the collar and belt styles in 60s' dresses before--at least not before the mid to late 60s. And this definitely does not look that "new" to me! JMHO, of course!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I agree with Anne - I think it's a shortened late '50s dress. Fabulous wide belt! Anne beat me to the punch on the pellon too: over the years it tends to fall apart, and perhaps that's why you don't really see it after the mid '60s. I often have to take it out because of it's fragility, but if it's strong you should leave it there because your skirt will be floppy without it.

 

[Midge]

Thanks everybody! Pellon - that's it ! I was just so out of it yesterday, from posting stuff on etsy and other places, and trying to get a job application together etc. etc. I had been asking myself if it had been shortened, but it's hard to tell, as both thread colors that are used on the seam turn up on other parts of the dress too, but white thread is white thread, and I guess the orange wasn't too difficult to match either. I was never able to find out anything about the name on the label, though that was here in Zurich - and I bought it here in a vintage shop. I guess the name refers to a boutique.

The pellon is intact and I'd say in good condition, so I leave it as it is. I stored the dress lying flat. The real issue this dress has are holes - and not the kind that I feel I can mend, and as I said, it's that bit too tiny for me. But it's like with all things when you start collecting (at least that's my personal experience) - in the beginning you buy everything that's gorgeous or special or whatever if it doesn't cost much, even if it doesn't quite fit or there are actually things that are more "you" - and then at some point you start going over things and think "I'll never wear that" or "that doesn't really fit in with my collection" or some such thing, and you start concentrating on the stuff that's really "you" and you start sorting things out that aren't. Happened with my dolls, happens now with my vintage, though with vintage, my focus is also on wearability - no use buying things I know I'll never wear.

So this dress will go on etsy, of course with full disclosure of it's issues, and with a price reflecting that.

Karin