The color of Romance! Rose Red Tulle gown...mid 1950s

No doubt about it... heads will turn and compliments will fly. Breathtaking strapless gown with red satin bodice and full tulle skirt. The bodice is heavily detailed with an all over design of cord applique and iridescent sequins. It has a prominent bust and nipped waist. Reams of red tulle create a wide dramatic skirt with a red taffeta underslip.

Condition issues: Not perfect but still beautiful. I seldom post items that are not at least close to excellent condition but with this dress I am making an exception. No, it is not perfect, but to me it's beauty out weighs it's flaws and I have priced it accordingly ( by less than half). While on the body the blemishes are hard to notice but let me describe them and you can decide if they are something you can live with.

-Under the arms there is some color fade and change (see picture).

- I also  found two rends in the tulle the larger one I will lightly mend so the tear does not get bigger but the smaller one blends in with the skirt and is best left alone (see picture for larger rend).

-The original side metal zipper has been replaced with a plastic one

-Finally the dress was once taken in through the back and then let out again. The stitching lines can be seen. I will try and steam them out but I took a before picture just in case it does not help. Again the dress looks beautiful on and if perfection is not your issue it is certainly wearable.

The size is small with the following measurements

Bust 34"

Waist 26"

Skirt length from waist to hem 36"

Sweet little black baby doll dress from the early 1960s.
Would make a lovely vintage cocktail or party dress. Sleeveless...scoop neck empire bodice with all over black sequins. Delicate piping and tiny bow beneath bust line. Black crepe, baby doll skirt is gently gathered at the top and tapers to a narrow hem. Nicely made with full taffeta lining and center back metal zipper. The label reads à la Mode. The size is small in the bust but the hips will accommodate a more medium size. Perfect for a body which is full in the hip but petite on top. It has the following measurements.

Bust 35"
Waist free
Hips up to 38"
Length from shoulder to hem 38"

Excellent Condition

 

Light and airy voille, maxi dress from the late 1960s by Teena Paige.

The cut is like a sundress with with a fitted sleeveless bodice and wide shoulder straps. it has a long maxi length gathered skirt and zips in back with a metal zipper. The fabric is a sheer voile, with fun Mod-Tulip print in bright happy colors. The dress is completely lined with white cotton batiste to prevent "see through" issues.

A perfect weekend dress, it can be worn day or night particullarly if you are going to be out doors. This one should be fun to accessorize. i'm seeing a wide brimmed floppy straw hat and chunky plastic bangles.

The size is on the smaller end, most noticeably in the bust area. It has the following measurements.

Bust 33"

Waist 25"

Length of skirt from waist to hem 40"

Excellent Condition

1970s Retro 'Silver Screen' gown in Cranberry satin.

Fashion has been "doing Vintage" off and on for years. In the 70s many designers borrowed from the 1940s. This is a perfect example! The surplice neckline plunges daringly low. There are deep shoulder pleats creating that broad shoulder look. It has dramatic sleeves with pouffed pleated caps and tapering to a narrow fit at the wrists. The skirt is gathered at the waist and flows to the floor. There must have been a belt at one time but it is gone now. It does not need one but you can certainly wear any coordinating dressy belt to cinch the waist. The only remaining label is the Union Label. The size in a Med/Lg It has the following measurements

Bust 40"

Waist 29"

Sleeve length 26"

Skirt length  47" from waist to hem
This is a good dress for a taller woman since the sleeves and hem leghth are so generous.

Excellent Condition

 

One of the more unique (and flattering) vintage Maxi dresses I've come across. Thin ribbon stripe print on silky polyester jersey. Colors are Azure blue, pumpkin, and lime on a white background. The dress is cut with a sleeveless drawstring neckline, sort of a modified halter. Empire waist with fixed ties and column skirt.

The size is small with some range, will fit the following measurements

Bust 34"-36"

Rib cage just beneath bust - 30"

Waist free up to 30"

Hips free up to 40"

Length of dress from shoulder to hem approx. 54" (was hemmed slightly by original owner

Excellent Condition

Exotic evening gown circa 1970s. The silhouette is elegant and simple...sleeveless fitted bodice with stand up collar and floor length column skirt (deep box pleats front and back)....however the simplicity ends there... 

Black double knit bodice with midriff definition, trimmed in metallic gold braid and burnished brass paillettes. The skirt is done in rich, contrasted fabric, combining the shimmer of gold threads and a swirling floral pattern borrowed from the Far East. Black velvet flocking outlines the imagery highlighting the gold and making the saturated fall colors glow. 

There is no makers label, just a union tag and no fabric content but I am certain the bodice is a polyester knit and the skirt, an acetate and lurex blend. The dress is a medium size with the following measurements.

Bust 38"

Waist 29"

Hips up to 40"

Skirt length from waist to hem just over 40"

Length from shoulder to waist 16"

Excellent Condition - no flaws

Beautiful velvet and chiffon gown circa 1970s.

Wear it lformal and ong or have it hemmed  knee for a pretty cocktail dress. There are so many lovely details in this dress I don't know where to begin. The front and back of the empire bodice are done in a golden safron chiffon over taffeta. The side panels of the bodice are velvet. It has a high neckline edged with dainty ruffles and sweet flower embroidered trim. The bodice panels are also edged with the same embroidered trim. There is a long plain, satin ribbon tied just under the bust. The sleeves are wonderful, they are done in the same chiffon with tiny set in accordian pleats. Just lovely. They end in a velvet band with embroidered trim then pleated ruffle cuff. The long straight skirt is a deep golden velvet, fitted at the waist. The only lable left in the dress is a dry clean lable. I do not know the maker. The size is Med/small with the following measurements.
Bust 36"
Waist 28"
Hips 37"
The dress was only worn once and is...

Excellent Condition
 

Pretty "milk maid" style dress by Gunne Sax circa 1970s.
Nobody made retro romantic dresses like Gunne Sax. Jessica McClintock purchased the company in 1969. Her dresses were all about romance and fantasy. The designs borrowed from Early American, Victorian and Renaissance styles. Some were simple others quite fancy. They were worn to school dances, as prom dresses and even as alternative bridal gowns. Many girls just wore them for everyday.
This Gunne sax is done in calico cotton with a black background and dainty floral print. A clever combination of renaissance and prairie chic, it features a very fitted bodice with peplum, V neck and lace up decollete. In back it ties at the waist with long narrow sashes. The sleeves are slim and long with a slightly puffed cap. The outline of the bodice is defined with ecru lace and a coordinating fabric band. Attached at the waist is a long gathered skirt with lace trimmed ruffled hem.
The size is an Extra-Small.

Bust 33"
Waist 25"
Hips up to 37"
Length from shoulder to hem 58"

Excellent Condition

Stunning 1970s vintage Hawaiian print maxi dress or gown by Malihini Hawaii.
Self belted Empire waist....sleeveless bodice with square neckline. Center front inverted pleat in long narrow skirt.
The print is exceptionally beautiful. Oversized hibiscus blossoms in luminous shades of oranges, yellows and browns. The fabric is cotton "bark cloth". As a full length dress it is quite dramatic and would make a bold statement. Not so brave? The dress could easily be shortened for more versatility. Use the extra fabric to make a matching bag!
The size is Medium.

Bust 36'
Rib Cage below bust 31'
Hips and waist free size...

Excellent Condition