Lovely 1950s embroidered lace strapless dress in dusty sage.  Fully lined dress with boned shelf bodice has nude colored taffeta lining and a layer of gathered tulle in the expansive skirt that matched the lace exterior.  Narrow horsehair hem, satin binding at neckline and creative darts at center bust.  Metal Talon side zipper is 14 inches long with hook and eye closure at top.  Beautiful dress perfect for prom or the creative and individual vintage bride.  Just the dress for your courthouse or backyard wedding.

Our model Suzanne’s measurements at the time of this photo shoot were as follows.

Bust 35″

Waist 24″

Hip 40.5″

Measurements

Bust 35 inches

Waist 26 inches

Hip FULL

Center Front to Waist 9.5 inches

Center Back to Waist 7.5 inches

Length from waist to Hem 30 inches

Sweep of skirt 149 inches

Condition

Some discoloration in the underarm area that is only visible on the inside lining.  There are some very small (pin head sized) spots on the front of the lace.  They are minuscule and difficult to see.

Grade: Very Good

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I purchased this wedding gown from the original owner’s daughter.  I was informed that this dress was first worn to a winter wedding early in 1954 in Canada.  Because the bride’s father owned and operated the local pharmacy, the wedding was held on a Wednesday as that was the only day the pharmacy was closed.

A classic 1950s strapless wedding dress with matching bolero.  Boned bodice dress is lined in taffeta.  A layer of tulle adds structure to the five gathered layers of embroidered tulle with scalloped edges.  Comes with original organdy petticoat.

We advise paying particular attention to the length measurements.  The original bride lost so much weight as her wedding approached that this dress was taken in several times and has room to be let out.  Unless this dress is considerably too long, we do not suggest altering the hem.

Our model Suzanne’s measurements at the time of this photo shoot were as follows.

Bust 35″

Waist 24″

Hip 40.5″

Dress Measurements

Bust 31 inches.

Waist 26 inches.

Hip Full.

Center front to Waist 12 inches.

Center back to Waist 7.5 inches.

Length from Waist to Hem 43 inches.

Sweep of skirt Tulle 192 inches. Lining 144 inches.

Zipper Length 14 inches.

Bolero Measurements

Bust 36 inches

Shoulder seam to shoulder seam 15 inches

Sleeve Length 25 inches

Front neckline to hem 12 inches

Back of neck to hem 14.5

Buttons 5/8 of an inch in diameter

Petticoat

Waist 26 inches.

Hip Full.

Waist to hem 43 inches.

Sweep of petticoat An amazing 245 inches.

Condition

There are two small spots on the bodice one on left front the other under right arm.  I have not laundered this dress and these could easily be removed or covered with some hand stitching in a matching thread. Otherwise excellent vintage condition

Grade: Very Good

Lovely linen wiggle dress designed by Carol Craig of New York.  Nude illusion neckline is bound at the top and trimmed with creamy three dimensional applique.  Gusseted sleeves, darts at both the waist and bust as well as the hip.  Kick pleat in back.  Fascinating, bra covering nude colored inserts can be seen above the applique.  Still retains it’s original self fabric belt.  So thoughtfully detailed that you will even find a bar tack loop at the front to secure the belt in it’s proper place.  Metal zipper is topped with metal hook and thread eye.

Measurements

Bust 32 inches

Waist 26 inches

Hip 38 inches

Shoulder to Waist 16 inches

Sleeve opening 14 inches in circumference

Length from Shoulder Seam to Hem 41 inches

Belt Adjusts From 24 to 26 inches

Condition

There is one very faint mark about two inches long located on the back right hip.  Hardly noticeable, and likely to be removed by a trusted dry cleaner.

Grade: Very Good

Darts abound in this 1950s beautiful brocade fully lined dress with a dragon motif.  Keyhole opening falls from a mandarin collar.  Angular bust darts extend from an empire waist.  Torso is well fitted with many vertical fish eye darts.  Slits on both side of the dress are in the brocade only, not the lining.  22 inch metal zipper in back.  Adorable label reads: Fashion’s Gateway Golden Gate Dresses & Gowns.

Measurements

Bust 42 inches

Waist 26 inches

Hip 44 inches

Shoulder to Waist 16 inches

Arm hole opening 20 inches in circumference

Length from Shoulder Seam to Hem 45.5 inches

Neck opening 19 inches in circumfrence

Sweep of skirt 44 inches

Keyhole opening 11 inches

Hem allowance 1.5 inches

Condition

Some vertical snags in various locations throughout the dress.

Grade: Good

Stock Available: 1

1940s two piece rayon suit bears an older L’Aiglon label that I have never had the pleasure of seeing before.  The creative print is so small that I didn’t even notice it’s detail until we began taking close up photos.  Miniscule print includes: exclamation points, ampersands, astrix, pound signs and more!

!;?:@)#$(%&*

It is either the cursingest suit ever, or was originally worn by a woman who went to work during WWII as a “secretary.”  Other features of this unlined summer suit include:

• Patch pockets trimmed with black piping.
• Fish Eye darts.
• Elbow darts at the sleeve.
• Fully lined peplum.
• Hook and eye at waist of jacket.
• Notched collar with a small hidden abalone button to close the collar high at the neck with a thread loop found on opposite collar.
• A line skirt with metal zipper by National and button closure

Measurements

Jacket measurements

Bust 34 inches

Waist 26 inches

Hip 40 inches

Sleeve Length 20 inches

Shoulder to Waist 15 inches

Shoulder to Shoulder 14 inches

Length from Shoulder Seam to Peplum Hem 20 inches

Buttons .75 inches in diamter

Skirt Measurements

Waist 26 inches

Hip 40 inches

Waist to Hem 27 inches

Skirt Sweep 65 inches (in keeping with the WWII era L-85 restrictions of hems having no more the 72 inches of fabric)

Models Measurements

Suzanne’s measurements are 35″ bust 26″ waist and 40″ hip.  We do not recommend this suit to anyone who’s measurements exceed Suzanne’s as it was a sung fit on her.

Condition

Loose threads on abalone neck button.

Grade: EXCELLENT!

1950s wool wiggle dress with satin cumberbund and matching bolero.  Bolero has scalloped front and gusseted sleeves that extend into princess seams.  Button back jacket has shoulder darts, welt button holes, and three quarter length sleeves.  V back dress has gently gathered waist, ruched cumberbund and bust darts.  Dress also has a 14″ metal Talon zipper with hook and eye at top and two at cumberbund.  Exquistly tailored by Murry Schneider Dress Co. San Francisco.

Enjoy the comedy of vintage sizes.  This gem is marked a size 10.  These days a size 10 approximately equates to a 30 inch waist.  A vast difference to the trim 26 waist of this dress.

Dress Measurements

Bust 36 inches

Waist 26 inches

Hip 38 inches

Shoulder seam to shoulder seam 16 inches

Shoulder to Waist 15 inches

Arm hole opening 14 inches in circumference

Length from Shoulder Seam to Hem 41 inches

Length from waist to top of V back 5 inches

Sweep of skirt A slim 38 inches

Hem Allowance 3.5 inches (could be let down a bit)

Bolero Measurements

Bust 38 inches

Shoulder seam to shoulder seam 16 inches

Sleeve Length 14 inches

Front neckline to hem 13.5 inches

Back of neck to hem 15.5

Buttons 1 inch in diameter

Condition

No flaws found.

Grade: Excellent

Girls just want to have fun!  Especially in this striking strapless party dress of the 1980s by designer Victor Costa.  Floral lace overlay on bodice and pencil skirt is decorated with black sequins.  Enormous tulle filled bubble or tulip skirt protrudes from the drop waist.  Sure to garner envious stares.  Not advised for full busted ladies.

Measurements

Bust 34 inches

Waist 28 inches

Hip 38 inches

Back of dress to waist 9 inches

Length from back of dress to hem 35 inches

Sweep of skirt A slim 38 inches

Sweep of Bubble Skirt 105 inches

Condition

Some snags in fabric that are shown in photos.  A few loose sequins and threads here and there.

Grade: Very Good

Late 1950s or early Camelot Era 1960s little black dress in crepe by Lanz.  Originally sold here in Portland, Oregon at the Charles F. Berg’s Chumley Carousel Shop.  This dress exemplifies “Business in the front, party in the back.  Conservative front has a center seam and bust darts with a skirt that is lightly gathered in the front, and more so in the back.  The truely exceptional details begin in the back.  Plunging V back buttons off to the side and is finished with a bow.  This dress has no zipper and the back waist has a hook and eye and snaps that close the skirt.  Shoulder darts and kick pleat in back.

Measurements

Bust 36 inches

Waist 24 inches

Hip 40 inches

Shoulder to Waist 16.5 inches

Arm hole opening 20 inches in circumference

Length from Shoulder Seam to Hem 41 inches

Length from waist to top of V back 7.5 inches

Sweep of skirt A slim 40 inches

Hem 3.5 inches (could be let down a bit)

Condition

A few loose threads at the hook and eye at waist and some of the snaps.

Grade: Excellent

Union made 1950s Jerry Gilden lightweight summer dress features a full gathered skirt, wide gathered sash at waist as well as bias binding at armholes and neck.  Transparent pink dress has a leafy organic print.  Pink metal zipper is 19 inches long and topped with a hook and eye.  We recommend wearing this dress with a slip and petticoat.

Measurements

Bust 36 inches

Waist 26 inches (would probably fit a 27 inch waist best)

Hip FULL

Shoulder to Waist 15.5 inches

Arm hole opening 15 inches in circumference

Length from Shoulder Seam to Hem 43 inches

Length of sash at waist 42 inches

Sweep of skirt 96 inches

Condition

Dress shows signs of wear consistent with age. Frayed interfacing, some fraying to inside seams and hook at top of zipper is rusty.  Sash may have come untacked from dress.  Inside one end of sash are dark threads that can be seen through the light weight fabric. There is a small snag in the front of the bodice that is pictured.  In that photo, you can also see the threads in the sash.  Still a beautiful dress with flaws that will not be noticed while wearing for everyone will be gushing about how beautiful you are!

Grade: Good

This darling dress boasts a print of open and closed frilly parasols with flowing ribbons tied in loose bows.  Structurally, this 1940s custom made dress features a shirred peplum and shirring at the sides that accommodates the fullness of the bust.  The garment opens via buttons down the back with some snaps added in strategic positions like the neck and waist.  Hem of peplum is interfaced for a more structured ruffle.  Absolutely adorable!

Measurements

Bust 38 inches

Waist 28 inches (would probably fit a 27 inch waist best)

Hip 40 inches

Shoulder to Waist 17 inches (please note: this dress is rather long waisted)

Arm hole opening 17 inches in circumfrence

Length from Shoulder Seam to Hem 46 inches

Condition

I just noticed that the back darts have been taken in a pinch, so there is a little room to have it let out if it is too tight in the bust for you.  No holes or stains.  Hand stitched hem can be taken up, but is down as far as it can go, so this dress cannot be lengthened.

Grade: Very Good