Vintage dress-40s or 50s?

L

lapoubellevintage

Registered Guest
Hey everyone,
I have this lovely floral dress that seems to be on the cusp of 40s or 50s to me and I could use your help. The dress is a floral printed cotton with pleats along the bottom and a keyhole at the neck. The closure at the back is a metal zipper and the tag reads Fashion First by M. Smoller & Co. Chicago.

Thanks!
 
Very pretty dress! Are the lines of it the way they are meant to be, or have you pinned it back to nip in at the waist more? I don't see 40s in this, myself. I think it's mid to late 50s, with the back zipper and those ties at the neckline. However, it is very hard to see the waist detail. Do I see a seamed, fitted waist with gathers under the bust? Can we see a close up of the bodice detailing that includes the waist?

I'm hoping one of our more knowledgeable folks will come along and lend a hand.
 
Re: Ann

Ann,
The dress was pinned to fit the dress form but it does nip in at the waist when unpinned. Here is a better photo of the waist. I'm not sure the technical term but there are two seams that run along the front of the dress.

Thanks for your input!
 
i agree with anne, it's definitely 50s, not 40s. the colors are too bright and lively for 40s, and it would have different styling, plus a side zipper if it were 40s or even early to mid 50s.

it's a very pretty summer frock.
 
I think you would call those two seams that emerge from the armscye, and go down the front, and curving towards the bust "princess seams". My impression is that princess seaming is more typical of the late '50s - 60's than the 1940s, though I'm sure there are exceptions.

Jen
 
Yes, I think it could be early 60s, but I don't think much later than that. I at first thought 50s or 60s, but the length seemed long for 60s, but it's very hard to tell on a form..... And I think the colors in the print are earlier than later. I found one dress online with that label and it was very late 50s, so I think you could be very safe in saying late 50s to early 60s.
 
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