50s Bombshell Cocktail Dress Draped Vintage Revenge Dress Ceil Chapman Inspired Medium VFG
This vintage 1950s dress flatters every curve. It is clearly inspired by famed designer Ceil Chapman, the master of draping. I actually scoured every inside seam half expecting to find one of her tags tucked away in a discreet spot! The va-va-voom bodice is styled with a vee-neckline and is fitted with multiple darts front and back. Dolman sleeves sit at the edge of the shoulder - they have darting for ease at the elbows. The skirt and "cummerbund" feature draping that is simple in its effect - Wow! - and complex in its execution. The skirt is gently pleated into the front waistline - it wraps in front, creating a center slit with a curving corner. Most of the cummerbund is cut from the same piece of fabric as the left side of the skirt, wrapping up and across the waist area and around to the back on the right. The cummerbund also wraps in front - both sections are artfully draped in front and around the side, inserting into the zipper placket in a 4" wide section of tight shirring.
SIZE: No size label
| Measurements | Inches |
Cm |
| Bust |
43" |
109 |
| Waist |
28.5" |
72.5 |
| Hips |
38" |
96.5 |
| Bodice length from approximate shoulder | 16" |
40.5 |
| Skirt length |
26" |
66 |
FABRIC/COLORS: Black, medium weight, probably rayon. The bodice, upper sleeves, and upper skirt are lined in acetate-type faille.
TAGS: No tags
CLOSURES: The dress closes with a long metal Talon zipper down the back
CONDITION: The upper seam of the shoulders has elastic inside to sit more securely. The elastic seems to have lost some of its stretch. Replacing the elastic would be pretty easy - open the seam and insert a fresh piece. I decided to leave it be so that the new owner can customize the preferred fit.
The acetate lining has color-turned to reddish tones - this is common for lining of this era, and is not seen when worn.
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.