Thursday, March 7, 2013

That Little Black Dress, 1920's Style








From the seller:

Label: Bedell of New York – This is a beautiful, quality label sewn to the inside bodice lining.

Styling Details: This is the definitive roaring 1920’s vintage flapper dress. It has a lowered neckline which has a V in the back. The front is an asymmetric wrap look to form the straight line bodice to the dropped waistline. The armholes and neckline and the crossed over front are all finished with self fabric piping. The bodice wrap is pleated onto the front waistline band which is shaped up to a point on the right side and and swooped down quite a bit to the left side. The right side has an attached pointed ruffle which is about 7 ½ inches long and extends around to the back. There is a small ruched area at the side back just above

where the ruffle falls. The skirt section is cut in three pieces and is narrow hemmed falling in points on both sides and is quite full. It’s not exactly a bias cut – it goes in different directions. The fullness of the skirt falls in pleats at the sides.

Fabric: Unidentified: looked up this distinctive fabric in an old copy of “The Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book which describes it as, “A finish giving a waved or watered effect to a fabric, usually corded silk.” The crisp softness and drape of the fabric also indicates that it is most likely silk. The bodice lining which is attached to the under front bodice also has the feel and appearance of silk.

Size: No size tag – Please refer to garment measurements and keep in mind that this was a loose fitting, straight dress.

Actual garment measurements are as follows:

Bust: 40 inches

Waist: 38 inches

Hips: 40 inches

Overall Center Front Length: 37 ½ inches

Skirt length: 18 ½ inches at center front, varies all the way around

Condition: There is some deterioration to the bodice lining and the dress itself has some tiny holes scattered all over. These little holes are less than 1/8 inch in diameter and not visible. There is a slight bit of underarm fading. This dress has been stored a very long time and no attempt has been made to clean it. IThe overall color is black and is not faded as one of the photos shows. t is also rather wrinkled and needs some attention. All in all I would call this a good to very good condition considering the age. I would call it carefully wearable.



From Me:

In 1926, Coco Chanel introduced "the Ford" via Vogue magazine. It was a simple, versatile black dress. Hence, the name we all now know it by "Little Black Dress". This dress is probably from around that time period if not a bit before but it is not a Ford - the original Ford was made of wool.

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