Long black Lord&Taylor dress... 20s/30s?

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

This dress seems to be a sister dress to the one that Villa posted about earlier. It has an unusual faux bustle look on the back. The label is similar to one that the Label Resource states is 50s but this dress definitely seems earlier. It buttons down the back to the waistline. At the waistline starts a metal Conmar zip. Seams are pinked. There is a handwritten label that says "LUNDELL" by the L&T label... I suppose that would be the lady who ordered it?
Thanks once again, that's two dresses in two days that I've asked about here.

 

[Pinkcoke]

The pointy collar would suggest 30's/40's I'm thinking the latter with that bustle back & ruffles. (incidentally I have an ice blue evening dress with the same skirt treatment on either side I need to post - it has snaps at the neckline making me wonder if it's as far back as the 30's or not) I think the shape is partly disguised because it's larger than your manneqin.
Could you add closeups of the zip & buttons please?

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

I love the bustle back on this dress, and the tiers in front. I cannot see the details in the photos, but only want to add that bustle backs came back in style in the very late 1930's for a brief time, then reappeared strongly after the war. What kind of padding is in the shoulders, as that could be a very good clue.

I get a more post WWII feeling from the silhouette, but again I cannot see the details.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I agree with Barbara - this lovely dress looks post-war to me too. Whilst it has elements of the earlier eras, I think it might be a custom made dress for an older, larger lady in the late '40s or early '50s. I agree that it should have shoulder pads to fit the silhouette, if it doesn't, perhaps look to see if there were signs of them being removed.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thank you for your replies, as always I'm so glad that I consulted with you here, I believe you've all hit the nail on the head. Here are a couple more photos: one of the zipper/button/buttonhole, and one of a shoulder pad. AND I've now noticed that there are thread belt loops. It looks so much better bloused and belted! (The loops are positioned almost to the hips if the dress is left to hang naturally, so I think it's meant to be bloused a bit.) The spots are caused by the camera.

 

[Pinkcoke]

the style of both the zip & shoulder pads would fit with 40's/50's. showing it belted with the waist at the right point would certainly change the look & perhaps help narrow the date

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thanks, Melanie, I've edited the post to add a photo of it belted. Of course, belting it also shortens it somewhat. The length is now above the ankles.

 

[Midge]

That definitely makes a change, and looks more like what it should look like I think! Looks like late 40s now.

Karin

 

[Sarara Brazil]

I agree with those who say 40s-later end of the 40s. The tag, shoulder pads, overall design.... I like the ruffles!