Questions about a flapper dress ...

amandainvermont

amandainvermont

VFG Member
(I'm assuming it's 20's flapper era.)
Sadly, this dress is damaged, but it still has plenty of potential. As far as I can tell, it is made of a dark blue silk chiffon with flocked velvet. I gather this can also be called devore velvet?

Looking at the design of the velvet, do you see the Egyptian lotus flower design (as a nod to the King Tut popularity of the era?) or does “art nouveau" describe it aptly?

The armholes are unfinished and need to be closed/seamed in some way. It’s hard to tell if originally the dress had sleeves of some kind. I’m guessing it did. The dress is is loose and drapey.

Any special term for the panel of fabric in the back? I welcome any advice?suggestions!


readyflapall.jpg
 

Attachments

  • readyside.jpg
    readyside.jpg
    45.4 KB · Views: 207
  • readyback2.jpg
    readyback2.jpg
    53.4 KB · Views: 212
  • flapback.jpg
    flapback.jpg
    106.3 KB · Views: 203
  • readyclose.jpg
    readyclose.jpg
    137.8 KB · Views: 192
As for suggestions, you can always sell it to me!

It is Devore' velvet. The back drape panel could be referred to as a Watteau back, although it is shorter than a true Watteau panel. I do see an Egyptian influence.
 
Are you sure the sides need to be closed up? These armholes are often quite deep, and worn over a coordinating slip. On the other hand, there could have been a wide band to form a partial sleeve .

Gorgeous fabric.
 
Thanks Everyone - Hollis - I am no seamstress, so I don't know the correct wording - the armholes are "raw"? They need to be folded over and seamed. I thought the dress looked fine sleeveless, but it did occur to me that someone might have removed sleeves. The other thing I noticed is that there is no hem. Someone took scissors and cut along the bottom. And ....there's also a strip of the fabric that is lighter because of (I assume) exposure to light while hanging. So it's an "As Is" dress. :-( And my thanks to Laura for initially pointing out the Egyptian influence. I have learned so much from VFG members.
 
Last edited:
Ah, they may indeed have removed sleeves. Or the binding used to finish them was removed. Hard to say. A new, narrow hem would not be hard to sew, though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top