Sydney Honolulu Dress 50s Hawaiian ?

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UndoneMrs

Registered Guest
Hi there, hope someone can help me with this vintage dress. The print is so adorable and features little birds. Is this barkcloth ? It feels like 100% cotton, it has an interfacing around the collar to keep it stiff. There are gentle pleats around the front waist area, also a gathered mini train at the bottom back. I'm thinking possibly late 40s to mid 50s, though I could be totally wrong. Label reads Sydney Honolulu. This dress seems a little older than the items that came up when I googled. Thanks so much !
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I couldn't find much about the label either. I think your dress is late '60's early '70's - could even be more recent. It's a cotton print - not barkcloth, which has a heavier texture. It looks like union cloth, to me. I will try to look in some of my books on Aloha Wear to see if this manufacturer is mentioned.

What are the measurements? If it's an older size 10, it will be significantly smaller than that size today. Is the zipper metal or nylon?

Linn
 
I agree with Linn that it looks more modern - is that a side zip? I'm getting an '80s feel but it's likely to be that if there is a side (metal) zip.

Any pics of the interior or more construction details?

Nicole
 
I always find these styles difficult to date, but pretty sure it's newer than 50s or 60s. The label styles (both the maker's label and the size label) look more modern than not. And that lovely teal green/blue was really popular in the 80s. Darling print, that is!
 
we've had that sydney's label on a shirt with a very similar print (which is a spin-off of Reyn Spooner prints) that was late 1960s, and used coming forward

that back gathering was USUALLY on a holuku style dress that had a longer train in the back; this looks like the designer was having some fun and using elements of a traditional dress in a more wearable-length.

Cute dress!
 
Wow, thanks so much for all your help ! Ok, it has a metal side zip and it is a Talon zipper. The measurements are quite small for a size 10. I would never would have pegged this at 80s ! I love all the info !
Measurements are taken flat and across in inches
Bust 17''
Waist 12 3/4''
Hips 18''
 
More about the construction, the seams were finished with pinking shears. No lining, I can't find any union tags or any tags other than the label. The construction seams unusual due to the way volume is added to the train area, the lower portion dips down into a kind of a U formation, coming up to mid waist. I'll take more pictures today in case that makes no sense : )
 
I think it could be 50s. I have ran across a few dresses that at first glance I thought were 80s due to color or print, but turned out to be 50s.

With the side metal zipper, pinked seams, smaller size, and that label, I wouldn't think 80s.
 
I agree - really appears to be '50's. The print and color are more typical of '60's. The size is definitely a vintage size 10 . I found something yesterday that gave vintage size 10 measurements and they were even smaller! - actually a vintage 10 was smaller.

This is from an article that was in yesterday's NYTimes: "While researching old production manuals, Fasanella discovered that a postwar 10 was roughly the equivalent of a current size 2. The dimensions specified for it, in 1947, were a 32½-inch bust, a 25-inch waist and a 35-inch hip."

My personal experience is that vintage sizes varied some, too - but this Syndey Honolulu dress is definitely early rather than later. As Mary noted, the train effect is a typical feature of Hawaiian dresses. I think this one is more fashion forward and my first thought was that it is a late '60's early '70's Maxi dress rather than a holoku'u. I couldn't find any reference to Sydney Honolulu in any of my books on Aloha attire or shirts.

I want to add that you look stunning in the dress!

Linn
 
Based on the additional "clues," then, yes, it appears likely it's 50s! The metal zip, seam construction, and the sizing all indicate much earlier than 70s or 80s. That type of neckline was popular in the 80s, and without handling it in person and seeing/feeling the fabric and construction, it can be hard to tell sometimes. It's always SO much better when you can handle something in person.
 
no its definitely not 80s, but i'm sticking with 60s rather than 50s, esp that style print, those colors. ALOT of island design houses used older techniques and materials than mainland manufacturers; alot of the sewing was done either cottage style, or by Japanese women in small factories, using older/familiar techniques. not your fancy production, generally, esp for a smaller company.
 
Thank you for the extra construction details; I agree that it's earlier - probably early '60s rather than '50s because long dresses were almost never cotton in the earlier decade.

Styles go in and out but construction rarely lies.

Nicole
 
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