Please help me with a few questions and the date for this silk nightgown, thank you!

S

Sally Sparrow

Registered Guest
Greetings! I have a few questions and I could use your help and expertise. I found this lovely silk nightgown. Bias cut (I am pretty sure), a really pale pink nice silk that seems a bit thicker or heavier than modern fabrics I am accustomed to, lace accents on the hem and bust, spaghetti straps. There are no tags or labels of any kind and no evidence that any ever existed. The seams are serged.

I am trying to date it, and I have another one that I believe came from teh same original source. The other gown is ivory silk, also with lace appliques, but it has a shelf bust and that threw me off a bit. Oh, and it has lovely skinny braided straps. Neither has tags and I think maybe they were home sewn. Just mentioning the second one (I have not photographed it yet) since that might help me date this one.

I am also trying to find a good way to describe the lace. I realize the lace could be original or it could have been added at any time so I have no clue on the type or age of the lace. I thought Alencon but I could be totally wrong.

Finally, and unfortunately, the bottom part of this gown has little "nicks" or "pulls" in the fabric. Is there a better term to accurately describe that issue? Oh and finally, is it safe to hand wash this?

Thanks so much, I tried to keep this as short as possible!

p_001.jpg

p_001.jpg

p_001.jpg

p_001.jpg

p_001.jpg

p_001.jpg

Inside seams^^

p_001.jpg

Inside bust/bodice ^^
 
The Vintage Vendeuse said:
The construction is not giving me a vintage feel on this one... how old are you thinking it is?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I'm not getting any particular vibe. :(

I picked them up (there's a sister to this one, in ivory) because they somehow reminded me of previous finds from the 30s'/40's. I guess because they are such a nice silk, and I come across sooooo much polyester in newer stuff, and then so much nylon in the 50's through 70's lingerie I buy and sell often. These had an "old appeal" if that makes any sense to anyone at all. Not based on anything more than gut. ;)

It's probably the handmade/home made throwing me off. I guess I will sell them without a specific era mentioned..?
 
I concur that the construction looks modern - I wonder if it might creep into the '90s when bias cut and '30s styles were back in fashion. It's nicely made and the fabric looks beautiful. I think there is still interest in '30s styles, even when they're modern, if the quality is good.
 
I wonder if it was a plain slip originally - the lace has been added on last and sewn through the cup lining, which I wouldn't expect with professional work really.
The lace at the hem also appears to have been purposely feathered for that 'frayed' look which was popular on skirts and suit jackets within the last couple of decades - when was that?
 
Nicole, thanks, I think it might still appeal to buyers who appreciate the style and fabric regardless. :) I know I certainly would, but it's too tiny for me to keep!

Melanie; the lace edges are similar to something I bought (new) and it was described as having "eyelash lace" so I thought this was the same thing? The sister of this one also has lace that looks like it was added last or later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top