Can anyone help me identify this dress

[tallyho]

I bought this about 20 yrs ago because I thought the top lace part looked like a dress in one of my favorite Vargas Pin-up. I just got it out again after a long time in storage. Can anyone tell me more about it? Year? Is it Couture? Is it salvagable?

 

[tallyho]

well now I cant figure out how to post a picture

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Use the tags [ img ] then [ /img ] but without the spaces

 

[tallyho]

I hope this works now

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[tallyho]

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[tallyho]

here is the side zipper

 

[Tourbillion]

The dress is beautiful, probably 40's, but I'll defer to the experts on dating.

Not couture though, it is probably well made, but couture should be beyond perfect. The zipper might be sewn in by hand, and the seam finishes would be bound or you wouldn't even see them at all. There doesn't appear to be a tag either, although it could have been removed. Couture gowns usually have a waist support on the inside, and lining-usually in silk chiffon or silk organza type material.

It looks like it is in good condition though, are there any tears or shattering to the fabric? If not, it is probably wearable.

Best of luck!

 

[Lauren]

I'm not the 40's expert, but I'm guessing somewhere in the mid-late 40's on it. It's a stunning dress! I ditto the not Couture- but it looks like it was not homemade by the seam finishes on the inside by the zipper. What is wrong with the dress? It's very pretty!

 

[tallyho]

I posted the photos sideways by accident so if you you scoll to the side, you will see more pics. let me know what you think after that.

 

[Lauren]

Ok! New York Creation wasn't terribly Couture, but seems to have been a better brand. The fact that it is a Debutante dress makes me think it was kind of like a "juniors" today- a little less expensive than the main lines at Saks, but a good brand nonetheless. New York Creation actually makes my favorite hats (I posted several over in the hat thread and I believe about half are labeled that). Now- with the skirt you really have two options. The first is to try to have it cleaned. I recommend the French Laundry in Pasadena, CA. They are pricey, but if anyone is going to get that stain out, they will. They are known worldwide for their expertise and museams even send things to them. Sometimes it takes a while to get things back but from what I've heard it's worth it. The second thing you'll have to do is take up the hem. Once a dress is shreaded at the bottom there's not much you can do- but even at a cocktail length this dress will still be absolutely stunning! Nearly any seamstress SHOULD be able to do this for you, but you may want to ask around in your area for good seamstresses- usually Bridal shops will know of some.

Thanks for posting pics of your beautiful dress!

 

[Miss Sis]

You may all shriek in horror but I often wash dresses. Usually I do it in the bath in tepid water with a liquid wash for delicates. Don't know any US brands but I use Woolite here in England as it is for wool and silks. About the only things I Dry Clean are wool coats and suits. Also don't wash anything with old sequins as they were usually made with geletine and dissolve when wet!

If you think this dress is strong enough, and of a washable fabric, do up the zip, turn it inside out. Fill the bath to about 5" deep, adding the wash stuff to get a good mix then immerse the dress without folding it. When it is saturated you can push it up and down a little but just leave it for a bit. Keep an eye out for colour bleeding as you don't want it to run into the skirt from the top, although I don't think it will. After a bit push it up and down again, concentrating on any stains. The water will probably be really dirty, so drain it without letting it too near the plughole. I then use the shower to rinse it whilst it is lying flat, turn it over and keep rinsing till there are no bubbles. Then starting from the top, gently squeeze out as much water as you can working down to the hem. Because it has lace I wouldn't spin it in a machine, just drape it over a clothes line or airer in the bath so it can drip dry. Then you can iron it with a cool iron on the wrong side or pressing cloth for the outside when it is just slightly damp.

If it has only ever been dry cleaned it might smell quite bad from the chemicals but it should be ok. I have never had a problem washing anything like this. I did it to a Kalmour Gown that had water marks all round the badly taken up hem and it came out beautifully. Fine silks are ok, but not raw silk. It also gets rid of a lot of 'Old Clothes' smell. Hope this is helpful but if you are nervous, just send it to the cleaners!

 

[jitterbugdoll]

New York Creation is a WWII label. Because of the war, France was no longer *the* fashion capitol, and a marketing move was made to try and shift that center to New York.

I wash most of my vintage dresses by hand as well. I don't use Woolite as it is rather harsh, but instead use Ivory dish soap in a tepid bath, and usually add a scoop of Oxyclean, which really helps remove any odors/stains.

 

[Grace]

Lovely dress!!
As far as cleaning it goes, I have some cleaning instructions from a 1927 Butterick sewing book on my website. Just click 'Articles'. I haven't yet tried the honey method of cleaning silk, yet, but I plan on it!

When you say is it salvagable, what do you mean? What is wrong with it?

 

[Miss Sis]

Maybe Woolite is different there because it is very gentle stuff over here. There is also a fab product called Vanish for stains. It is a liquid stain remover for soaking garments in a bright pink bottle that is also suitable for wool and silk. I have used it on mens cream flannel trousers and it worked a treat.

 

[dorotheascloset]

Woolite can be rather harsh. A lot of vintage collectors/sellers will use baby shampoo as its so much more gentle & pure. Be careful if you do wash something layered like this as different fabrics will react differently, as well as the fabric casing the zipper.....if you get any shrinkage out of one and not the others, it will make the dress hang differently and there's no going back.

I'd put this dress post WWII, too much fabric to the skirt to be during. If its floor length on you, take it up to waltz length/ankle-ish and you'll be fine without changing the intent of the look too much. Very Hollywood glam!! Ang

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Just an FYI - the person who owns the dress (Tallyho) is a guy and his gal isn't into vintage! And if you scroll to the right there are pictures of the damage and the label.

 

[tallyho]

thanks Bella for clarifying that! Thanks everyone else for the info and advice. As bella mentioned my wife does not really wear vintage. I bought that dress when I was something like 17 yrs old thinking one day some girl I met would want to wear it. Well now i have been married for 8 yrs and I dont think that is going to happen! LOL So my purpose of asking about this was to figure out if this was worht selling /saving/giving to someone who could put it to ggod use, or if it should just be pitched out. If anyone thinks its worth saving , wants to buy, wants it what ever, let me knowcause its just collecting dust and my wife will pitch it if I dont do something with it soon.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

It's definitely worth saving--it's quite lovely!

 

[BegintheBeguine]

I bought a similar lace dress on Saturday, but knee length, a little damage and stains, for $7 US. Have 3 or 4 lace dresses like that, don't remember the labels and don't know which of 5 rooms they are in. Under ten dollars seems to be the going rate.

 

[lavendar lady]

The dress

I cannot help on the identity of the dress.I do know by the looks of it you have a beautiful dress.:eusa_clap . I love it.