Please help w/pretty crystal pleat dress: 40s?

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Hello! I posted here a few times some while ago and found such helpful people and info. I'm hoping for opinions on this garment. Unfortunately, no tags of any kind can be found on this beautiful dress. And also unfortunately, the see-through silk (any idea what the fabric is called?) is torn in places. Nonetheless, I love this dress! It has pinked seams and a long side metal Talon zip. I've heard the pleats called "crystal pleats", is that correct? The skirt portion has an attached netting, then navy acetate(?), and then the navy see-through material which I feel is likely silk. It's been a long while since I've found something with such style and elegance. The length makes me think early 40s or am I way off? Sorry for the horrid photos, I have bad luck with cameras. Thank you!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Beautiful dress - it looks like silk organza to me: you can read about organza in the Fabric Resource, and see if it sounds similar. It was a popular material for evening wear in the '50s, although over years since then it's become fragile - and it's hard to repair. The '50s is also where I date your dress too, probably the early '50s.

I agree with crystal pleats, although I'd be more inclined to call them accordian pleats (although they might be smaller than these ones?).

Pity about the condition - one way to repair would be to replace the top panels of the silk or to remove the top portion, affixing it to the petticoat at the bodice, so that the straps of the petticoat support it. If you wanted a bigger job, you could replace all of the silk in the bodice (assuming the rest is strong). Silk organza - unlike many '50s fabrics - is still readily available and with a black you don't even need to worry about matching a colour.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thank you very much, Nicole!

Yes, there is quite a bit of damage to the silk, it's like it just wasn't strong enough to last through the years. Thes tearing is located mostly over the shoulders and there is also some tears on the side of the skirt where the zipper is. With the folds in both places, it is not terribly obvious. Nevertheless, I knew when I picked this one up that condition was a significant issue. But I just couldn't resist it! (And BTW, it's navy blue, not black. Apologies again for the bad photos.)