Looking for date 20's? and help with possibly cleaning

[Melonie]

I have been sitting on this dress for a bit. I am guessing 20's? But not sure. It has snap closure on side. Suggestions on cleaning or should i just leave it alone? I dont see any shattering but i dont want to either lol.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I definitely see 1920s. Looks like a lovely silk chiffon with silk ribbon work. I would sell it as is. The ribbon work may not turn out well if washed.
Let's see what others think about washing this.

 

[Jonathan]

If the ribbon decorations are silk then there isn't much you can do because even if they look good now, dry cleaning or washing them will accelerate any degradation and the silk will split, plus is will never look the same, it will lose lustre and depth - they will be flat and wrinkly. Chiffon is also not a fan of being washed as it likes to shrink a bit and ironing is really the only way to get its shape back, steaming never works the same. My recommendation is don't touch it...

 

[pastperfect2]

I agree with Jonathan! It's lovely, and I'd leave it alone. Perhaps a light steaming from the wrong side for the wrinkles?

 

[Katarzyna]

Totally agree with others, If silk, do not touch, and also do not hang it. Keep it in a acid free box. If it's 100 years old the degradation already started, it's just not visible to the eyes. If you wash it/ clean it it could fall apart.

Tip from my dry cleaners (she is a certified artisan dry cleaner since the 1980s), do not wash silk in water, it gets wrinkly from it.

 

[northstarvintage]

Katarzyna I am jealous of your dry cleaner!