This is such a beautiful dress and although it is a little wounded it is absolutely stunning and still presents really well.
Made in the late 1930s or early 1940s, this black satin backed crepe piece is figure hugging and has a really unusual design. The bodice has covered buttons down the front and on the side opening. Puffed sleeves, which fasten at the cuffs with covered buttons, and a slinky skirt which skims the hips.
Just below the bust there are two wide sashes which are over 4ft long and which form the belt section of the dress. They are designed to crossover on the front of the bodice and then be wrapped twice around the waist and tied at the front. The skirt has a 7.5" section which has been added on. This is a home sewn piece and it looks like they were short of fabric and so had to piece the skirt to get the length.
Measurements
This will best fit up to a 37-28-38 but works really well on smaller too. The mannequin is a 33-25-35 and it fits really well because the sash belt allows you to custom fit the waist. However, to ensure it will fit you properly please compare the measurements below to a similar garment you already own;
- flat bust 19"
- flat waist 16"
- flat hip 19"
- underarm sleeve length 17"
- shoulders between sleeves 14"
- neck to waist 16"
- neck to hem 45.5"
Condition
Very good with some minor points to note.
- there is wear on most of the covered buttons. They are all still covered but there will come a time when they will need to be replaced. When the ones on the bodice do wear badly there are enough on the side opening to swap them
- the waist section is fairly crudely sewn in places with a little bit of puckering, but this is covered when the sash is tied
- some minor signs of general wear