Unable to identify this dress. - help!

Moonchild

Moonchild

Registered Guest
Hi! I bought the inventory of a closing vintage store, and I'm in the middle of looking through the items. There's A LOT of interesting stuff! But this one caught my attention the most, as I cannot identify it very well. I hope you guys want to help! I've uploaded an album with pictures here https://imgur.com/a/afz4JGl

My own very apprentice-like thought, is that it might either be a costume handmade in ca. the 50's or a costume or party dress handmade in the 80's. But that's really all I can gather from my own knowledge, which is still very limited. flagemoti

I do not think the zipper is original to the dress, btw. It looks a lot newer than the rest. But I'm not sure in this either!
 
I think it is definitely a costume, possibly assembled from fabrics from several decades. The belting material - heavier than grosgrain ribbon,I can't remember the name right now - was used in the 1910's. The sleeves seem to be cotton organdy. It will be fun to hear what others think.
Marian
 
The belting looks like petersham. This is the new word for grosgrain. Petersham was always used in Europe; grosgrain, in the US. When polyester grosgrain came on the market, the name of woven ribbons was changed to petersham in the US.

Polyester grosgrain is heat stamped to make ridges; petersham is a woven rib and usually cotton and/0r rayon. This is the ribbon used in hats that has scalloped edges.

In couture, it has a variety of uses including waistband facings and trims because it is "easily" shaped. The application here is not professional. It would rarely be used as a waistband alone.
I'm sure that's more than you want to know.
 
Oh, thank you for your clear explanation. I have struggled with the right terminology and understanding the uses for the woven grosgrain (petersham). Its never too much information for me. But just ask for petersham in the notions department at Joanne's!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top