Description
This creamy off-white rayon velvet wedding gown from the late 1940s has a triple-layered portrait collar that sits just off the shoulders, below a sheer mesh illusion panel with a round neckline. The fitted, basque-style bodice extends just below the hips, coming to a point at the center front of the dropped waist seam, which is trimmed with a narrow band of piping. The full-length sleeves have pointed hems that extend over the tops of the hands, fastened at the cuffs with the same velvet-covered buttons and satin loops that close the back of the dress from neck to high hip. Small gathers open from the vertical seaming in the front of the bodice, to allow for a bit of fullness at the bust. The skirt of the gown is gathered all around the dropped waist seam except for the center front, where it was left flat for a more flattering look at the waist. The gown has a 3-tiered bustle-effect at center back and a semi-cathedral-length train, extending just over 6 feet from waist to hem (back hem/train is almost 3 feet longer than the front hem). The rayon velvet fabric is unlined; you will likely be wearing a slip and/or petticoat underneath. All of the many, many velvet-covered buttons and loops are present, with no rust or other discoloration. In very good, quite sturdy and wearable condition, this true vintage 1940s wedding gown does have a few issues to note, which should not be noticed when it is worn. Please see all of my close-up photos.
- Some very faint marks on the bottom of the train.
- Several very small, pinhole-sized green dots on the front and back of the bodice, right next to the underarms—perhaps the gown had dress shields pinned in, and the pins left marks during its long storage?
- A very faint water mark on the back left bodice, above the waist seam.
- A few loose threads at the center front of the pleated portrait collar, which makes me think it may have had some sort of floral or other decorative trim there, once.
The creamy-white plush fabric has a slightly crushed-velvet texture, as a result of the fact that I carefully hand-laundered the dress. It was very dingy and dusty when it came to me, and looks so much better now! The velvet may benefit from a professional pressing; I have steamed it myself, but there is still a slight crushed texture to the surface. The gown is quite wearable as it is though, if the texture doesn’t bother you. This demure and romantic 1940s vintage velvet wedding dress would be lovely for a winter or holiday-season wedding!
Size: S.
- Bust: 37 inches flat with a bit of extra room at cups, to fit approx. 36-37.
- Natural waist: 29 inches flat, to fit up to 28.
- Dropped waist seam: 30 inches flat, to fit up to 29.
- Hip: full.
- Length: 58 inches from shoulder to front hem.
- Underarm to dropped waist seam: 9.5 inches.
- Sleeve length: 23 inches.
- Train length: approx. 72 inches from waist to center of train (33 inches longer than front hem).
- Label: Miriam Originals New York
