Description
The copper and black/brown fabric of this 1950s shirtwaist dress has a 2-tone iridescent sheen to it, often described as sharkskin. The dress’s lovely details include the curved and pointed collar, the knotted hems finishing the three-quarter-length dolman sleeves, and shiny, faceted copper glass buttons closing the bodice from the V neckline to the hips. Many darts gather the full skirt into the fitted waist seam. The back of the bodice has an inverted pleat to allow better range of arm motion—a nice touch! A self-fabric skinny belt cinches the dress waist. The shiny copper-brown fabric is definitely a blend, I believe of rayon, wool, and possibly acetate. It is medium-weight and has a crisp feel, like alaskine or sharkskin suit fabric. The underside of the iridescent fabric looks more like black with a hint of brown. A few scattered light marks around the lowest button, and a tiny dark spot on the upper right bodice can be seen in my close-up photos. This full-skirted 1950s shirtwaist dress is in very good condition, with no other issues to note. It is sturdy and quite wearable—in a great color for fall! The dress has been freshly dry-cleaned, which I recommend with this particular fabric.
Size: M.
- Bust: approx. 39-40 inches flat (lack of shoulder seams make this a bit tricky to measure), to fit 38-39 max.
- Waist: 30.5 inches flat, to fit up to 29.5 max.
- Hip: full.
- Length: 46 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist length: 7 inches**.
- Back of neck to waist length: 16.5 inches**.
- Waist to hem: 29 inches.
- Sleeve: 16 inches.
- Label: Sized To Height Originated by Murray White Boston
- ** Waist seam is in higher in front than in back. **
