What do you call this neck line?

wire9vintage

wire9vintage

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Hi, folks...

I just got this great Laura Ashley 1980s, sort of 50s style dress. But I can't come up with what to call this neckline/collar. Under the wide part is a narrow elastic-gathered strip. The bodice is boned, so it obviosly isn't intended to be held up by this ... what is it?

Oh, and the darn thing says it's a size 8 (U.S.)... This size 8 says this dress is more like a size 4! Darn it!
 
A British size 8 = a U.S. size 4. Here's an article about size on Wikipedia with a size chart:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dress_size

I don't know what the elastic thingy is - could you show us a picture of it? I would describe the neckline as off the shoulder, wrapping around the back like a shawl, comprised of four pleated sections that come to a "V" in the front and give the appearance of a sleeve but is actually a wrap.

Hard to describe but great. Your photo is great and explains what is going on - except the "thingy." I love the dress!

Linn
 
Thanks, Linn! Actually, it's a UK 12, US 8...according to the tag. But it's WAY tinier than that. I'm sure this dates to the 80s, so I can't think the size would have been too off of today's size. But I can't get this on no matter how much I suck in! Oh well... I'll mourn it a while and enjoy it on my dress dummy...then hope I can interest someone in it :hiya:

Here's a shot of the "thingy," looking down over the top of the shoulder. I've pulled it up over the shoulder here, so you can see it. Because of the unfinished edge, I'm assuming it goes down around/off the shoulder, under the pleated bit.
 
Quick addition! I should note that the elastic bit goes all the way around the shoulders, starting from just in front of each arm pit. (is there not a nicer way to say "arm pit"??)
 
Yeah - that is confusing - it is sort of kinda like a modified portrait collar but not - But the way the back is confuses me. I would call it "off the shoulder" if you are listing it. But as far as an "official term" - I really have never or seldom seen a dress with the combo of the back treatment so its more of a combo portrait+off the shoulder. Its almost a strapless dress for someone who doesn't want to be too bare ???
 
I think the sizes changed in the very early '80s although some companies cut bigger than others. What are the measurements of your dress? I do agree that the thingy goes over the shoulder and I would call it an "off the shoulder" dress. It's really lovely.

Linn
 
Originally posted by Linn
I think the sizes changed in the very early '80s although some companies cut bigger than others. What are the measurements of your dress? I do agree that the thingy goes over the shoulder and I would call it an "off the shoulder" dress. It's really lovely.

Linn
Click to expand...

It changed from the 70s to the 80s, but the other change I remember was either in the late 80s or early 90s. I would really be dilligent about including the measurements on this one - even from the inside on the bust. I am going to guess that it isn't off the charts, but maybe around a 4 or possibly a 2 US size. I wouldn't list your "guessed" size in the listing.
 
What is the waist measurement? If it's 25.5 inches then it equates to a modern day UK size 8. A 27 inch waist will be a UK 10 (US 6) and a waist of 28 inches will be a UK 12 (US 8).

Lovely dress! :)
 
Even with the back treatement being quite unusual, Carrie's got it: off-the-shoulder portrait collar or neckline. The dress is lovely!

The elastic strap is meant to help hold it in place; you position it, as you rightly assume, where it will hold the collar in place but not show (although some are made and finished so that they can be used as shoulder straps). These collars can usually also be worn at the point of the shoulder, rather than below.
 
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