What style of dress is this? Country of origin?

[Magic]

I was thrifting today and came across this. Was hesitant to buy it because I was nervous about appropriating from a culture unknowingly, but I’m wondering if anyone here has some answers. The size/care tag was 70’s but there was no brand. Similar to a kaftan but...not. Is the pattern in the fabric Moroccan? Indian? I’m super uneducated on this stuff. :/

 

[bycinbyhand]

Wish I could see that label better but I think India or Pakistan.

 

[Jonathan]

It looks like an Indonesian batik fabric and the dress was made for the Western market. Unfortunately the fear of appropriation versus appreciation is causing havoc for BIPOC designers who use their culture for inspiration because woke buyers won't touch their products. It was explained to me in the simplest of terms by an indigenous woman in the fashion industry - don't wear my culture as a costume, otherwise you are good.

 

[Magic]

It looks like an Indonesian batik fabric and the dress was made for the Western market. Unfortunately the fear of appropriation versus appreciation is causing havoc for BIPOC designers who use their culture for inspiration because woke buyers won't touch their products. It was explained to me in the simplest of terms by an indigenous woman in the fashion industry - don't wear my culture as a costume, otherwise you are good.

thanks for your response! I live in Seattle and white people love competing at performative wokeness here and yelling at each other but I’ve found that when I wear clothing from non-white cultures, actual people from those cultures have always responded with fondness. I guess where I draw the line for myself is not wanting to unknowingly wear something with great spiritual/cultural significance that I have no real context for. My understanding is also that it’s ideal to buy directly from BIPOC designers and businesses but that’s also not an option a lot of the time when thrifting.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

agree with Jonathan, it looks like an Indonesian batik fabric to me, too.

 

[Magic]

Thanks everyone who helped inform me, I read a little about batik and went back and snagged it

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

It looks lovely on you!

 

[Midge]

I agree - it looks great!

 

[GemGem]

Fantastic! Looks great on you, beautiful colours, and respect for your consideration.