40s Day Dress Women's Vintage Novelty Print Feathers 50s Dress L/XL VFG
This pretty vintage dress most likely dates to the late 1940s although it lacks the padded shoulders typical of that era. It features a striking novelty print and is in a hard-to-find larger size. The bodice is shaped with soft shirring at the shoulders, and wrapped front panels that gather into the princess seaming a few inches above the front waist seam.The swingy skirt has a total of seven sections - six of them are actually extensions of the princess seaming in back and along the sides, while the front section has a waist seam to separate bodice from skirt. The last photo shows the dress unpinned.
SIZE: No size label. The bust measurement can go a bit bigger because of the wrap front.
| Measurements | Inches | Cm |
| Bust | 47+" | 119.5 |
| Waist | 37" | 94 |
| Hips | 46" | 117 |
| Bodice length from shoulder seam | 18" | 45.5 |
| Skirt length | 23.5" | 59.5 |
| Sweep | 59" | 150 |
FABRIC/COLORS: The fabric is a lightweight jersey knit, most likely rayon based on a fiber burn test. The print is of feathers and flowers - the feathers are done in three different shades of purple and silvery gray, while the tiny flowers are rendered in three different shades of brown with dark red centers, all on a navy blue background.
TAGS: No tags at all - I believe this was custom sewn.
CLOSURES: No closures - the dress is designed to slip on over the wearer's head, which is important to keep in mind when considering measurements.
CONDITION: I have reinforced some of the shirring threads that were loose at the shoulders. I found a pinhole in the lower front skirt. 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.