Description
This blue and white gingham check cotton 1950s sundress with full skirt and matching bolero jacket is deadstock, unworn, with the original envelope holding extra buttons still attached. The dress has a creamy off-white cotton upper bodice held up by double-loop straps that match the piping trimming its sweetheart neckline. The bust section is gathered into this piping at the top and at its lower edge into the fitted dark blue waist panel inserted below a scalloped underbust seam. The gingham skirt section has lots of tiny gathers below the fitted waist seam. It is quite full, with wide, flat pleats at the center front and back (shown here with a moderately full crinoline underneath to fill out the shape of the skirt, which is not included). The dress closes at the left side seam with a metal zipper. There are 2 side seam hip pockets in the skirt—hooray!
The matching gingham jacket ends just above the natural waist, with short, cuffed sleeves, a small collar, and the cutest navy blue and gingham fabric-covered buttons fastening it in front. The curved shape of the jacket’s front hem echoes the scalloped shape of the dress waist seam—a lovely detail! Both pieces of this 1950s sundress and jacket set are made of lightweight cotton. The body of the jacket (not the sleeves) is self-fabric lined (2 layers of the same gingham fabric), and the dress is unlined. The dark blue waist panel and gingham check fabric are a saturated shade of purple-toned blue: blue-violet, rather than the more usual navy blue.
In very good condition, the set has one minor issue to note: the fabric of the upper bodice has probably yellowed from its original white shade to an off-white color. It has not been laundered, but I cannot be sure that the issue will resolve with washing--although a good soak might improve it. Otherwise, this deadstock 1950s sundress and jacket set is in great condition, never worn, a mid-century true vintage classic!
SIZE: approx. modern S. Labeled vintage size 16, but seems smaller at the waist.
DRESS
- Bust: 38 inches flat with extra room in cups due to gathers. Best for approx. 37-38.
- Ribcage: 30 inches flat, at top edge of wide waist panel.
- Waist: 27 inches flat, to fit approx. 26.
- Hip: full.
- Length: 49 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist: 8.25 inches when laid flat; approx. 8 inches, as worn.
- Waist to hem: 31.5 inches.
- Skirt sweep: approx. 92 inches.
JACKET
- Length: 15.5 inches from back of neck to hem.
- Width at hem: 32 inches flat, just above natural waist.
- Sleeve length: approx. 8 inches (no shoulder seams).
- Sleeve opening at bicep: 14 inches flat.
- Shoulder to shoulder: no seams, but approx. 15-16 inches.
LABEL: none present except size label in dress.
