Need help narrowing a date and deciding re: ethical dilemma

[MagsRags]

This pretty thing is rayon crepe, with a white metal zipper down the front. The wide fabric sash can tie either in front or back. No shoulder pads. The puffed sleeves are petal style, split and overlapping at the shoulder.

Dating first - late 30s? Or 40s?
Ethics second. Given the length and the zipper, I think it's safe to say this was a hostess/lounger. I think it would be more marketable as a day dress. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't consider cutting and hemming solely for profit. But. There is a cluster of smallish holes at the back near the hem.

Whay do you think? Does this flaw justify altering the original piece by shortening?

 

[listitcafe]

No let the buyer decide that.

Real nice dress!

-Chris

 

[joules]

I agree that you should do nothing to alter, and it sure is pretty.

 

[vintagepretties]

Wow, Maggie, its beautiful.

and, I do have to agree with Chris.. the holes are so tiny, and possibly can be mended.

I too, would disclose, your pictures show how small they are and I would definately mention it could be shortened to remove them and make it more versatile and worn as a dress.

but, i wouldnt alter it either. I'm such a "freak" tho for not altering vintage.

yvonne

 

[hatfeathers]

You could even pin it to show it shorter, but leave it long for the collector market, if they want it that way. You can't go back from cut!

These older pieces are doing well even with damage lately.

 

[MagsRags]

Yeah. I'm really not a scissors happy seller, just needed some encouragement on this one. I generally don't like putting flawed items on the website, but I think this is too nice for the eBay store.

On the plus side, not cutting means I can get it onto the website instead of adding it to the repair pile.

So does late 30s sound right?

 

[debutanteclothing]

I like the idea of pinning it to show the possibilities.

 

[vertugarde]

This would be a hostess dress probably from the early 40's. I wouldn't shorten or pin it. That's a great print.

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

That's a lovely piece, Maggie! And because those holes are at the back and so small, I agree not to alter it--I would mend those if I bought it to wear!

If they were large holes, I'd probably opt to hem it up just above them, but I agree to leave it to the buyer...

 

[Velvetsage]

Early 40's in my opinion. I would just use some iron on tape from the back to fill the holes if I owned it. I had one friend who was a whiz matching colors with fabric paint, and made her own iron on patches for little holes. One day, I will try it. :sunshine: