Never seen a dress with a built in 'bib'- what era is this?!

superfineday

superfineday

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Never seen a dress with a built in \'bib\'- what era is this?!

I found this super chic dress last week and have never seen anything like it (remember, I have a lot of learning to do! :) ). It has darts along the front, sides, and back and a built in sort of 'bib' that fastens around the waist with a hook and eye closure and snaps to either side of the breast plackets. The bow snaps to itself after you tie it to be sure it stays fastened. I'm sure you probably don't need this many photos but I wanted to be thorough- it has a metal zipper, paper tag, and feels like wool crepe.

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Thanks for your help! Now if it only fit me.... :damnit:
 
thanks, superfine :). it's a little tribute to a dear friend, who sent me the photo of the superhappy pups a few years ago.
 
I agree with Joan on dates, although I'll go a little earlier, to late '50s - early '60s. The removable bib could allow you to insert a different colour if you wanted, eg, a white bib would look smart. It's a great dress, as you say, very chic.

Nicole
 
What a nice dress! I am with Nicole on dating--late 50s to very early 60s. And I think this would qualify as what is called a "dickey," and you could interchange colors for a different look, as Nicole said. I would love to see this with a red one, or a cream-colored one.
 
I have stared at this and I swear it looks like it might be back to front. Those rounded seams on the back look like allowances for either breasts or the largest shoulder blades in history! I realize that doesn't normally make sense with the gathers at the waist, but have you tried it the other way around just to see? It would also make more sense for the zipper to be in the back, and then the panel is optional, depending on whether you want an open back or not.
 
I see what you mean Jonathan, but the dress would be very hard to put on if it were the other way around! I think it's just big for the mannequin. I've seen that kind of seam on quite a few dresses from this time.

On the other hand, it would be interesting to see what it looks like back to front!?

Nicole
 
i see what you mean, but what about those midriff tucks above and below the waist? they would be in the middle of the back, which makes no sense.
 
Ooooooh when I get to work tomorrow I'll put it on the manni and post pics of how it looks backward! The arms do seem a little funny when it's on from the front, like there's some extra fabric or something- we will investigate further! :scratchchin:
 
Yes, I think Jonathan is right.... I didn't even think about the zipper. I did see the princess-style seaming in back, but like Nicole, thought it just is too large for the dress form. But it makes more sense if the dress is on backwards, because it could be worn by a more daring lady without the attached panel for a very low-cut back.
 
Ok everyone, here are the new pics with the dress in reverse!

From the front:
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From the side:

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It does seem like there's more fabric where the bust would be, see that lump? There's some extra fabric when it's on the other way, but not quite so much. I got a closer shot:

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The back, without the dickey:

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Here's something else, this half circle of fabric is something I often see in the back of jackets. It's on the side I originally thought was the back, opposite the plunging neckline and bow:

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Then again the way I originally had it, deep V and bow in front:

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It's a little big, but definitely doesn't look as wonky as the other way.

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Maybe another test would be to put it on a real person? Is there any chance it would be reversible or would that just be too weird with the cut and seams?
 
I think you have a plunging sack back dress from 1958ish. I think the tucks are intended to accentuate the curvature of the bum and the overhanging sack of the back. The front looks right to me now with the smooth line from the neck to the hem. It reminds me of the movie Auntie Mame when she returns to Beekman Place after her husband dies and when she takes off her coat she has a deep plunging open back with a bouquet of violets nestleed at the bottom!
 
very interesting. yes, now that you point it out, i can see those tucks on the bottom being for bum-enhancement, but couldn't work out how the ones above the waist would make any sense. to exaggerate the saque makes sense.

this has been a lot of fun! i love vintage detective threads.
 
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