Should I Lengthen Skirt on this Urban Suburban Moordale Suit?

[EndlessAlley]

With the cotton velvet kimono style blouse and from the Urban Suburban archive ads I've found I'm placing this 3 piece suit in the 1950s. (Hope I'm correct on this).

The skirt which is 23 1/2" long and has a 5 1/2" hem appears to have been re-hemmed and appears short for the 1950s. Trying to decide whether to lengthen the skirt or sell "as is" and noting on the listing there is a 5 1/2" hem to play with. What you would do? Thanks!:sunshine:

 

[MissRita]

Very pretty Alice! I just went through this with an Adele Simpson 80s gown I listed. The hem had been taken up at least 5" but thankfully it had only been rolled up and loosely stitched so I was able to let it down easily and there were no fade lines on the velvet. The gown itself is much longer than the usual length so even the woman who hemmed it originally must have been about 5'5".

If it can be easily done like in my case I'd definitely do it, not too many short women like me out there. If I was a buyer I'd like to be able to see the f/l and whether there would be any issues once the hem has been taken back down.

 

[Pinkcoke]

As long as there isn't any damage i.e. holes at the edge I would take it down yes. As one of the taller lot, I won't look at anything I can immediately see has been shortened, so seeing the true length for me would get my attention when browsing. For your information, the current length would be above my knee, letting it down and leaving a 1.5/2" hem would be a good longer 50's length on me.

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

I'm of the opposite opinion, Alice! LOL.... IF the original hem remains, that is, the person who shortened it merely turned up the existing hem and stitched a new one, then I'd definitely let it down and press out the hemline. But, and I suspect this is the case due to the heavier wool, if the original hem was let down to its raw or seam-bound edge, then hemmed back up, you would have to re-hem it or have it re-hemmed. And, as darling as your suit is, it just may not be worth the time and/or cost.

I am short, and I know there are indeed a lot of shorties like myself who have a hard time finding vintage that fits, expressly because of the length issue. I also have one customer in particular who, while not short, almost always has her vintage hemmed up to knee length so she can wear it to work and feel comfortable with the skirt length. When I have something that's been hemmed up, and not easily let down, I sell "as is" and note in the listing--as you mention--something like this: "Skirt has been hemmed up but original hem allowance is intact, and skirt can be easily let back down." That way the customer can make up her own mind. Otherwise you may spend the time to re-hem this just to have whoever buys it hem it back up again!

JMHO, of course, but I don't think I've ever had a dress or suit devalued due to a hemming up!

 

[EndlessAlley]

It appears that original hem tape, etc are still in place and the past owner simply shortened the skirt without cutting. The fabric is lovely and there is no press mark showing from the original nor the current hemline. Will probably lengthen to show better. Thank you all for your good advice!