70s Vintage Boho Halter Mini Dress Hippie Gauze Crochet & Embroidery Women's S/M Anatolia San Francisco VFG
This fabulous little vintage sundress dates to the early 1970s - I purchased it brand new from Presence, my favorite northside boutique in Chicago - and it has lived in my closet for many years.
The dress is constructed around the 3.5" wide waistband. The two pieces of fabric that are the bodice are attached to the waistband, forming a deep vee neckline - they are each gathered onto crochet covered O-rings at the top where the crocheted halter neck straps start. The dress is backless above the waist. The skirt is a simple flair. The bodice is set off with a spray of delicate floral embroidery. All outer edges of the dress are finished with crochet stitching. The dress is unlined.
SIZE: Labeled S. Bodice measurements limited by halter style
Measurements | Inches | Centimeters |
Width/Length of each bust cover | 7"W x 8"H | 17.75 W x 21.5 H |
Length of each halter strap | 16.5" | 41.25 |
Waist | 28" | 71 |
Hips | 39" | 99 |
Skirt length | 16.5" | 42 |
Sweep | 59" | 150 |
FABRIC/COLORS: The dress is made from handwoven cotton gauze, unbleached and therefore cream colored. The tone-on-tone trim is also cotton. The floral embroidery is hand done in miniature cross stitch using two shades of pink, and two shades of green with a bit of yellow and black. Care tag recommends cold water wash gentle cycle, drip dry.
TAGS: Anatolia of San Francisco, hand woven and embroidered in Turkey.
CLOSURES: The bodice ties at the back of the neck with 1" bands of crochet. There are 4 crocheted buttons that close with loops at the waistband in back.
CONDITION: It looks like the back closure may have originally had another button and loop that disappeared at some point - it is not a glaring problem visually, but I would recommend a hook & eye there for extra security. There is a small, diffuse and very faint discoloration on the skirt front about 2/3 of the way down between waist and hem - see closeup for my best attempt to get a photo. 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.