1950s Demi-Couture Pale Yellow Silk Satin Pleat Dress
This particular dress is so unusual and so well made that I am absolutely 100% sure this is a not only a designer piece but most likely an important one. The construction is to demi-couture standards with an immense amount of hand-work in it. It is fitted to hug the body and make of a high quality silk satin dyed to the perfect pale, butter hue. The dress is cut as tight to the body as possible with a ultra lean fitted pencil skirt and simple strapped bodice. The straps themselves are an important clue to the quality of this dress -each is cut from the same piece of fabric as the top pleat of the neckline- there is no seam, meaning it was all cut from the same bolt of fabric, all pre-planned prior to the actual cutting the fabric and it would have used a tremendous amount of fabric to accomplish this. The pleating is masterful. On the bodice it is done in flat rows that end at the side seams. These continues down to the waist but then the pleats past the waist seam begin to wrap around the sides of the skirt and are attached in a way that create volume and has a very couture feel. The pleats widen as they go around the hip area and then narrow in at the front - it takes the concept of a wasp waist to a literal level. The pictures do not do this justice, nor do they capture the richness and depth of color of the fabric, as the full effect is best on a real girl. Extraordinary piece. Excellent condition.
Closes with a back painted metal zip. Fully lined - the bodice is lined in a silk dyed to match the exterior and the skirt in pale yellow silky rayon. Lots of hand finishes and a hand set zipper. There is a scuff or two here and there on the silk satin near the back bottom hem and one of the front pleats near the bottom has a teeny row of very minor scuff across it. A tiny mark that i believe to be a pen mark on the top of one hip as photoed here. The original long, fabric tie is attached at the front waist and ties into place
Bust: 17" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Bodice length: 15.5" from shoulder to waist seam
Skirt length: 26" from waist seam to the longest point at the front bottom of the hem. The dress under the front pleating is an inch shorter.
Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML
Item# E577
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival
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SIZE GUIDE
Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.
