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The fabric is a silky synthetic jersey in beautiful azure blue with random iris print. It has an empire waist with gathered surplice bust which wraps up around the neck in a mock halter style. The skirt is fitted through the midriff and falls to a sweeping hem. In my detail photos, if you look at the close-up of the bodice you will notice a darker shape on the right side. This is not a flaw, it is the shadow of the iris print on the underlayer of the bodice. There is no makers label just the size and care labels.
The size is small and will fit around a modern 2 to 4. There is some stretch to the fabric so I will give a range of measurements it should work for. The bust measurement is the least flexible. Also note, the original owner was petite in height so the dress has been shortened. If you are under 5'3" it can be worn as a gown. If you are taller it will be around ankle length or shorter.
Bust 34" to 35"
Waist up to 26"
Hips up to 36"
Length from shoulder to hem 52"
Excellent Condition
$75.00
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Lovely and lady like....matching jacket and dress from the late 1950s-early 60s.
Bold floral printed rayon/linen with cream background and clusters of red stylized roses. It consists of a cropped, collarless jacket with 3/4 length sleeves and pearlized buttons. The dress is a fitted sheath...sleeveless with jewel neckline, belted waist and open dart pleats at the top of the skirt. The skirt is straight with a pleated kick vent at center back for ease of movement. It has two hidden pockets in the side seams to tuck away your hanky or lipstick. In back, it zips with a metal zipper. The dress is unlined as was typical of summer dresses from the era. Women wore slips so a lining would have been unnecessary. The jacket however is lined in light cotton. The label is missing so I do not know the maker.
The size is a smaller medium, around a modern 6. It has the following measurements.
Bust 36"
Waist 26"
Hips 36"
Length from waist to hem 28"
Excellent Condition
$115.00
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Striking tulip printed silk dress from the 1950s.
The silk is a very light silk satin with white background printed with clustered red tulips. It is fitted and form conscious with lots of lovely dressmaker details.
The bodice is sleeveless with a slightly extended shoulder line. The armscye openings are finished with wide bias edging. The same edging is used to finish the open neckline and also to create a decorative criss cross effect defining the bust area. There is one decorative bound button hole and covered button at center front below the neckline.
The waist is fitted and the straight skirt has two open dart pleats in front. There is a center back kick pleat for ease of movement. The inside of the dress is fully lined with tissue weight silk organza, a beautifully made garment. I looked everywhere for a makers label but it is gone. The only tag inside is the style number tag. There was once a belt because the crocheted loops are still there. It did not make it to me with the dress. You can certainly wear it belt-less if you like by snipping off the loops or wear it with a coordinating new belt. I think black patent leather would be very smart looking teamed up with matching black patent leather clutch and heels.
The size is generous, around a modern 10-12. It is cut with a longer waistline than most dresses from this time, the skirt is longer too. It was sized for a taller woman and it will look absolutely stunning on a tall curvy body!
Bust 42"
Waist 30"
Hips up to 41"
Length from waist to hem 29"
Excellent Condition
$150.00
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Late 50s early 60s Petal Pink cocktail dress.
Fitted chemise done in beautiful pink crepe totally encrusted with iridescent sequins, every last one stitched on by hand! The hem and bodice have hand beaded details...white bugle beads and pearls in a floral spray motif. The dress is sleeveless with a wide scoop neck. It is quite fitted, a definite "wiggle dress" (the preferred vintage term du jour).
The workmanship is stunning. Absolute couture level. The seams are all bias bound, it is fully lined and the inside is all hand finished. As I mentioned the sequin and bead work has all been done by hand as well. The back zipper is metal.
The label inside reads Exclusively made for Jo-Ro Imports Miami Florida, 100% rayon Made in Hong Kong. The needlework and tailoring that came out of Hong Kong was meticulous and the finest quality available. In my opinion, as a former couture dressmaker they are the only vintage garments where the workmanship compares equally to Paris couture. Yet because Chinese labor was so undervalued these garments were available at a fraction the price. Today they are a tremendous bargain on the vintage market as well, costing little more than mass produced garments from the same era.
Fantastic condition with sequins and beading intact. Medium in size it should fit a todays size 8. It has the following measurements.
Bust 38"
Waist 28"
Hips 39"
Length from waist to hem 25"
Excellent Condition
$180.00
#1208
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Novel sheath dress from the late 1950s - early 1960s. Black crepe... gently shaped over the bust...sleeveless sheath... scoop neck front and back. Long narrow double sashes on both sides attach in a loop at the shoulder. They are weighted with fringe beaded edging and hang low in back. Simplicity with a touch of drama!
This dress falls nicely. The crepe has a fine texture with nice drape and it is underlined. There is a metal center back zipper. No makers label just a union made tag. Never worn it is like new.
A medium six with the following measurements.
Bust 37"
Waist free
Hips up to 40"
Length from shoulder to hem 35"
Mint Condition
$135.00
#1207
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Semi sheer illusion upper bodice with fringe beaded jewel neckline. Extended sleeveless shoulder line.
Fitted body with narrow straight skirt (kick pleat in back for east of movement). The piped waist is treated with the same beaded fringe and tiny cord bow off to the left. The dress is nicely made with center back metal zipper to mid back... hook closure at neck. Fully lined in black taffeta.
The label reads Mardi Gras, New York. It is a small size around a modern 4-6 with the following measurements.
Bust 35"
Waist 25 1/2""
Hips 35 1/2"
Skirt length 24"
(the skirt has been hemmed up to this length)
Excellent Condition
$160.00
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Sleeveless...scoop neck empire bodice with all over black sequin. 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 if needed. It has the following measurements.
Bust 35"
Waist free
Hips up to 38"
Length from shoulder to hem 38"
Excellent Condition
$125.00
#1201
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The jersey is most likely Qiana nylon. It has a beautiful drape and smooth texture.
There is only one label left and that is the care label. I do not know who the designer was.
The dress will fit a range of sizes due to the slight stretch in the fabric. I would put it in the generous medium range fitting a modern 8-10.
It should fit the following range of measurements.
Bust 37"-40"
Waist 27"- 30"
Hips up to 42"
Length - from shoulder to hem approx. 59"
Excellent Condition
$125.00
#1200
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Sophisticated 1970s lurex knit dinner/ evening ensemble.
Shimmery metallic knit fabric dress and cardigan by Leslie Fay Original.
By itself the dress is simple and sexy with sleeveless cut in shoulder and rib knit neck band. It is gently shaped to hug the body with just a little swing at the hem. There is a self fabric cord belt. It is teamed with a classic rib knit open cardigan. The hip length cardigan has long sleeves and low patch pockets.
Add a little flair by wearing the cardigan draped across the shoulders like a capelet. You can keep it in place with a clip on sweater guard. There were some really lovely ones done in the 50s and 60s. We have a few in the shop and would be happy to e-mail pictures if you like.
The flexible knit the size is Small/Mediumand should fit from modern size 6-10.
Bust 36"-39"
Waist up to 30"
Hips up to 39"
Sleeves on cardigan 23" long
Excellent Condition
$120.00 set
#5113
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Unique "bubble" dress
Flowing "bubble" style dress in black on black poly crepe jaquard. The jaquard is a rectangle dot pattern..Scoop gathered neckline, peasant style. Full bishop sleeve with long narrow cuff. The body of the dress is loose and poufs at the hem. Deep black ruffle finish. It can be worn belted or loose. Judging by the design label I think the dress is from the 1970s or early 80s. Lizzy and Johnny by Lucero. It is hard to tell because of the unusual cut.
Nicely made, a chiffon lining anchors the gather at the hem so it holds the bubble shape. The size is VERY flexible since the only fitted area is under arm. I would say anyone between a size modern 6 up to a 10 or even 12.
Flexible size modern 6 up to 10 or 12
Excellent condition
$85.00
