Question About Zippers ??

elvenom

elvenom

Registered Guest
So I have this gorgeous dress. But I have never seen this kind of zipper in a 50s dress; usually they are metal. So my first thought was that maybe someone replaced the zipper,but if so they did a perfect job because it looks like an original zipper. The zipper is a YKK zipper, but it looks modern. Any insight??


50s-Prom-2.jpg


50s-Prom-3.jpg
 
I don't think I have ever seen a YKK zipper in a garment made in North America or Europe before the 1970s. I would think it was a replacement - could have been done by a seamstress who knew what she was doing.
 
I cannot see the detail in the black; is this an invisible zipper? You do see nylon zippers in use in the 50s, more toward the end of the era, and more in high-end designer fashions, but I don't recall seeing the invisible nylon zips until the late 60s. I don't know about that brand being used in the 50s.
 
Yes, the zipper is invisible; its nylon. The dangly thingy hanging from the zipper is the only part that is seen when it is zipped. I guess whoever replaced it did a marvelous job. :-)
 
Are you sure it's 1950s? I'm getting a more modern feel and the construction doesn't look period to me either (although it must be said that this sort of gown frequently wasn't well made in the '50s). I wonder if it's a costume.

Nicole
 
Originally posted by CircaVintageClothing
Are you sure it's 1950s? I'm getting a more modern feel and the construction doesn't look period to me either (although it must be said that this sort of gown frequently wasn't well made in the '50s). I wonder if it's a costume.

Nicole
Click to expand...

Really? You know, I considered that, but then looking at the construction I ruled out that it was more modern. The inside is sort of a mess (photo #2) and looks handmade. Now Im wondering again!
 
It just has a bit of a gothic wedding look to me - the skirt has a conical Tudor shape, where '50s prom dresses generally have a more full gathered effect - and the plastic boning in the skirt backs up the Tudor silhouette, I haven't seen that in a '50s dress before, where there will be petticoats to boof the shape out. I can't imagine that plastic boning would be effective either, I hate the stuff and always replace it with steel corset boning.

What are the fabrics? It looks like cotton velvet, nylon netting and acetate lining.

N
 
If I were you, I'd just describe the facts, and say that it looks like a '50s prom dress but you can't be 100% sure. If I had it in front of me, I could date it but on one photo all I can say is what I see - so I wouldn't say for sure '80s when it might lose you buyers.

N
 
I think I will investigate it a little more thoroughly before I post it. I dont want to state that I am not sure..thats not a good look.LOL..I will take it to my moms house. She will probably be able to tell me for sure. :-) I appreciate all of your help - thanks so much!
 
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