Women's Day Dress 40s 50s Shirtwaist Vintage Big Buttons Bold Print VFG Mode O Day
This is a classic early 1950s day dress in a great print - these are not easy to find. The shirtwaist style is tweaked with a curvy pointed collar and perky short sleeves. The full skirt is softly pleated into the waist seam.
SIZE: No size label
Measurements | Inches | Cm |
Bust | 41" | 104 |
Shoulders | 15.75" | 40 |
Waist | 28" | 71 |
Hips | Free | Free |
Bodice length from shoulder seam | 15.75" | 40 |
Skirt length | 27" | 68.5 |
Sweep | 80" | 203 |
FABRIC/COLORS: A geometric print in dark turquoise against a white background. The turquoise squares are designed to look like bold paint strokes, complete with streaks and jagged edges. They are arranged in patterns that alternate between vertical and horizontal. The fabric itself is a medium weight cotton.
TAGS: Mode O Day, Styled in California
CLOSURES: The dress opens completely in front, closes with eight oversized white buttons. There is also a single snap just above the waist, most likely added after-market to prevent gaping. There is a belt loop but no belt - I have shown the dress in some photos with a belt from my closet - it is not included with purchase.
CONDITION: The teal color has blurred slightly in the right underarm area -see closeup. A former owner did some minor seam repair work under both arms using a sewing machine - you can see in the closeups that it was not expertly done, resulting in some very minor seam creasing - fabric is intact. There is also a subtle 1" tannish discoloration along the edge of the bodice placket - see second closeup. No other issues noted.
I measure the outside of garments, unless stated otherwise.
For menswear, the chest is measured at armpit level.
For womenswear, the bust is measured a little below armpit level, including the room created by darts or gathers.
Waist will be measured if there is one, and hips are measured about 9" below waist level. Sleeves are measured from shoulder seam or an approximation in the absence of a shoulder seam. Garment length is measured from the back of the neck, unless otherwise stated.
The measurement numbers refer to the garment, not the body inside. For best fit, measure a similar type of garment which fits you well and compare.
If the garment is shown on Josephine, my mannequin, her measurements are 31/24.5/34". Sometimes she wears a padded bra. My live models measurements vary depending on the day and year, and I don't ask them to share that.