This Dress ..

[steve w]

I am wondering what you would call this type of dress - Its a one piece dress - zips up the back and buttons in the front are non working - I think its home sewn, and am also wondering what one would call this rather heavy floral pattern material ?

Thank You !

 

[Linn]

I would call the dress a "cocktail" dress or special occasion dress. It could have been worn to a wedding or party. It looks like it could be C. 1960s but the buttons look earlier. Is the zipper metal or plastic? The fabric is a matelassé.

 

[steve w]

Linn thank you - Both zippers on the back are metal - The dress came from the estate of well off woman who was a bit of a socialite and minor model - she was in Vogue Cosmo etc a few times in the 50's and early 60's. She also married well and had the most amazing wardrobe -but she liked to sew and made a lot of her own clothes - and I think she must have made this -She kept all her clothes even dresses from when she was a kid in the 1940's so the buttons could well have come off something else...