Please help with two dresses

[Sweetrockingal]

Hi, I came across two fabulous dresses today, One is a Ceil Chapman, It is nylon with lace and rhinestone detailing at waist, it also has a metal side zipper. I just wanted to confirm date on this one I was assuming it to be early 60's. When was nylon first used in dress making like this?

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Second, I have a full length ball gown?couture? I believe to be 50s? not sure on that maybe someone can confirm that... It is a tulle dress with taffeta lining and leaf like decorations on bust and skirt end (not sure of the material of the leaves). It also has a side metal zipper and tag inside is found sideways on the right side just under the underarm area (not under arm where zipper is at) . Tag reads:Switzer's. I have been trying to look for information on this brand but can't seem to get anywhere. :help:

-any info would help on this dress thanks!

please forgive my pictures took these tonight and my lighting could be better especially for a black dress

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[vivianbelle1955]

Gorgeous dresses! Nice finds

The black dress appears to 1950s for sure. Is it full length, or tea length?
The Switzers label lookes like perhaps it is a store label, and not a brand. I just Googled "Switzers store" and got hits for a Switzers department store in Dublin that was around from 1850-1980s.

Hope that helps a bit!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Nylon was first available for dresses in the late '40s and was considered quite the luxury fabric at first, so it's not uncommon to see "good" labels using it. I'm confused by your Ceil though: how long is it? It looks one length in one photo and another in the other.

Nicole

 

[Sweetrockingal]

Thanks for getting back to me. Black dress is full length. I hadn't thought of looking for Switzer's store I was looking for Switzer's Vintage dress. The skirt is not as full as a typical 50's dress would be could it be older or just early 50's? zipper head reads: conmar if that helps?

The Ceil Chapman dress is just so draped it hugs my dress form. I am sure with a pair of real legs in it it would look better. For the first picture I fluffed it out, the second picture is of the back of the skirt from the side where there are layers of folded nylon creating a layered sash along the hip. It is 35"long not including the strap. The longer part which I think you are reffering to Nicole, is the drapping which I didn't straighten out for that picture. So I guess my question now would be if nylon has been used in dresses since the 40's is this dress 50's? It has a metal Talon Zipper on the side. Tag is black with white writing.