Please help date this beauty, 40s? 50s?

Tabbyannabel

Tabbyannabel

Registered Guest
I just acquired this beautiful dress. Handmade, no labels. There are shoulder pads and a metal talon zip up the front. I just love the pockets! Anyways, I thought maybe it was 50s, but I'm not sure. Would a crinoline be worn underneath?
Thanks!!

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I would say it could be up to mid 50's, waist/bust measurements would help, to see if it has a more tight waisted or looser shape.
 
You can see how beautiful the jacquard fabric is in the closeup--:wub:

My guess would be early 50s, and that it's not a housecoat in the sense of bathrobe, but housecoat as in the sense of dressing gown, glamorous and suitable for hostessing. I had a purple velvet dressing gown with very dramatic sleeves by Hattie Carnegie; it was a bit longer (60") but also zipped all the way up the front.

(Is there any evidence of shortening?)
 
Carrie, the material is what drew it to me. I have a thing for green! It changes colour from green to gold depending on the light. :wub:

Just went and measured! The bust is 38" and the waist is 26". There is only a one inch hem with the pretty lace ribbon across the hemline so doesn't look like it was shortened. It is not lined (not sure if that was commonplace).

Wow, if this is a housecoat, can you imagine what the woman who owned this would have worn for an evening out?
 
There is only a one inch hem with the pretty lace ribbon across the hemline
Click to expand...

Actually, that makes me wonder even more whether it wasn't shortened down the road, since I don't associate lace ribbon on hems with clothing this early (I could be wrong, but I've never personally encountered a pre-60s hem finished that way).

Someone could have cut and hemmed it, possibly?

I love "changeant taffeta", which is what the fabric looks like to me. Flashy, but in the subtlest, most understated way...
 
I would be going for 50's with that waist/bust ratio (at it's peak for the fitted top full skirt dresses you get a bit later there is a 10" difference commonly) They could quite often be glamourous things, housecoats. I posted some scanned images from an early 50's magazine I have that only features loungewear in the guide sections.
 
If it was 1950s would they have worn a petticoat underneath?

I'm sorry, my bad, it is not lace but a green ribbon at the hem and it was sewn on with the same thread as the shoulder pads. (shoulder pads made of the same material as the dress). I'm trying to organize and photograph some new items while being harassed by two boys who want to watch Sponge Bob!
 
Oh, it's lovely! I agree with late '40s to early '50s - and that loungewear and housecoats can be quite glamourous. In Australia we call this fabric "shot taffeta".

No the crinoline. Just a slip would have gone under this one.
 
Might seem a strange question, but what kind of shoes would one wear with a house dress? Would it be those slippers with furry tops or would they wear proper shoes?
 
Stunning piece! I agree with late 40s/early 50s and terming it a "dressing gown," "lounging gown," or "hostess gown." I usually call this "irridescent" taffeta, and I think shot taffeta is, as Nicole says, another common term for it.

I can see this being worn with satin Daniel Green slippers or similar, with either a wedge heel or pump heel. Not really bedroom slippers, but lounging slippers.
 
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