Description
This late 1950s or early 1960s full-skirted sundress is a mid-century classic in lightweight white cotton with black polka dots and red and black trim. The skinny black shoulder straps match the wide band of black cotton at the skirt hem. A narrow strip of red fabric separates the black hem from the polka dot fabric of the rest of the dress. White piping circles the fitted waist seam. The dress has vertical bust darts for shaping the bodice and pleats below the waist to add fullness to the skirt. The bodice is lined with a second layer of plain white cotton, while the skirt section is unlined. The dress fastens with a metal zipper in back.
In good, sturdy, and totally wearable condition, the dress does have some issues:
- Faint discoloration at the edges of the underarms
- 2 areas of yellowing at the front waist, above the piping trim. (You could hide this well with a wide red or black belt.)
- Slightly less visible yellowing at the front of the skirt.
I suspect that the yellowing is from water damage in storage. I have not attempted any intense spot treatment, but I did launder the dress with commercially-made stain remover, which helped lift the marks a bit. This early 60s polka dot cotton sundress is too lovely to languish in my project pile. If you’re up for a less-than-perfect vintage garment, this cutie is priced accordingly, and ready for summer wear!
Size: S.
- Bust: 37 inches flat with room in cups. Approx. 34C to 36B. For reference, it is definitely too large in the bust for me, at size 34B.
- Waist: 27 inches flat, to fit up to 26.
- Hips: 54 inches flat (full).
- Length: 43 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist: 8 inches.
- Waist to hem: 26 inches.
- Width at hem: 76 inches.
- Label: none
