This dress and its slip were hiding in an old cupboard. It is from the 1930’s (or possibly even the ’20s!). Makes me think of something that Bonnie Parker (of Bonnie and Clyde) would have worn.
The slip is necessary because the dress is crocheted from cotton yarn and is very open-weave. It fits the body so closely that it’s another one that Madge can’t model. She’s getting frustrated with my choices.
The sleeves come about to the elbow and one of the most interesting things about the dress is the belt buckle. I think it is made from celluloid. Could be plastic, might be Bakelite.
Such an unusual find! I was so surprised, but that’s the life of a sleuth – you just never know . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
This is a PERFECT New Year’s Eve dress!
I’m so sorry that Madge can’t model this one. It is a KILLER dress! Imagine Scarlett Johannson, Sharon Stone, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Joan Collins, Carole Lombard and Ingrid Bergman rolled into one. When I have time, I’ll try it on Stella.
Use your imagination. It is not tight, but fits the body – with padded shoulders and a mid-calf length. The color is gold and champagne, metallic thread – probably rayon or a rayon blend. It’s another one of those with the funny zipper in the middle of the back, that you have to shimmy into.
I don’t know whether the woman wearing this dress is a bad girl or not. She certainly has a toe in both rooms. Anyway, it’s just stunning. Perfect for any magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARITN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Through till Monday or so, it’s all about details. This dress doesn’t look like much on the hanger – it’s a custom-tailored wrap dress that needs the body to define it’s shape.
The most interesting points about it are in the construction. It’s a fun style that buttons off-side and has hidden inside ties to shape the waist and tame the overlap.
The seamstress used little metallic buttons and the fabric has gold accents on some of the flowers in the print. It has an Asian flavor to the style and the floral designs.
So far, you’re still saying “OK, ho hum, so what? I see stuff that looks like this all the time.” The big deal in this dress, to my vintage-spotting eye, is the fabric.
It is a closely-woven 100% cotton that looks and feels like nothing new. The best way that I can describe the “hand” (feel) of it is if your grandmother still has cotton sheets from the 1940’s or 1950’s that have gotten soft with wear over the years, but are still strong.
The fabric also has a polish. Good polished cotton is rarely, if ever, seen in modern clothing.
So, that’s the secret of this casual dress and what makes it special. . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
Magicvintagespy 