Description
Squiggles of soutache trim and a big satin bow adorn this hourglass-fit, early 1960s cocktail dress in bright emerald green. The sleeveless, boatneck bodice has vertical bust darts for shaping above the fitted waist seam. Below the waist, tiny gathers at the hips add a bit of fullness to the top section of the straight skirt. A metal zipper closes the dress below the deeply scooped back neckline. The soutache trim circles the front and back necklines and the arm openings, as well as trimming the sides of the bodice and skirt.
The horizontally ribbed, medium-weight fabric is most likely a blend of rayon and acetate, with a slightly crisp feel, like alaskine. The dress bodice is lined with matching deep green rayon taffeta, and the skirt is lined with a lighter green, muslin-type, cotton/poly blend fabric. My last photo shows the dress unpinned from the mannequin, to give a better idea of its actual size.
In very good condition, the only issues to note with the dress are a slight amount of discoloration at the edges of the underarm/arm openings, and a small area of soutache trim which has been a bit clumsily re-sewn down at the right underarm. Both are very unlikely to be noticed when this classic, mid-century vintage cocktail dress is worn.
Size: approx. modern S. Labeled vintage size 16.
- Bust: 39 inches flat to fit up to 37-38 max.
- Waist: 28 inches flat, to fit up to 27 max.
- Hip: 39 inches flat, to fit up to 37 max.
- Width at hem: 39 inches flat.
- Length: 40.5 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist: 8.25 inches.
- Waist to hem: 24 inches.
- Shoulder to shoulder: 14 inches across back.
- Label: none but paper size label
