Description
I would call the bold design on this late 1950s or early 1960s Hawaiian dress a tropical rococo border print. Made in Hawaii by Tori Richard, this cotton sateen dress has a full skirt and a rather unique, fitted sleeveless bodice. The deep V back opening has 2 ties, 1 at mid-back and another at the waist. Each of the ties is made of the same section of the border print, for a nice color match to the part of the bodice where it is attached. The bold, saturated colors of the wide stripes in the fabric include royal blue, turquoise, lime, and avocado green. Against this wide stripe background, the rococo-style print resembles gilded floral decorations. A narrow band of self-fabric piping trims the fitted waist seam of the dress. Below the open V back, the dress is fastened with a metal zipper. The boatneck bodice is lined with lightweight white cotton, and the skirt is unlined. In good condition, the dress has several minor issues: a faint mark at the center front bodice, 2 very tiny spots on the skirt, some minor yellowing to the white lining fabric (which will not be visible when it is worn), and a slightly puckered hem (it may have been shortened). Also, the side seams of the dress had been taken in by a considerable amount, and there are very faint stitching marks at the side seams of the bodice, where I have let it back out. The cotton fabric is sturdy and bright and the dress presents very well, freshly laundered and ready to wear. I love both the unusual bodice construction and fun border print of this 1950s-60s Hawaiian-made Tori Richard cotton dress!
Size: XS.
- Bust: 35 inches flat to fit approx. 34. Adjusts somewhat with upper tie.
- Waist: 25 inches flat to fit up to 24.5 max. Can cinch smaller with lower tie.
- Hip: full
- Length: 38.5 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist: 8 inches.
- Waist to hem: 23 inches.
- Shoulder to shoulder: approx. 13.5 inches. Adjusts somewhat with ties.
- Label: Tori Richard Honolulu, Made Expressly for Norma Maier’s
