This dress is a great example of a 1970/1980s version of an early 1920s dress, with the classic drop waist design. The 1920s revival began in 1974 with the film The Great Gatsby and sparked a renaissance in this era's style.

The bodice element of the dress is comprised of a net Swiss dot tulle overlaid with a rectangular floral lace panel and smaller side panels. The sleeves are gathered at the shoulders. The laces are all different machine made types - possibly a Honington while the ruffles are an additional type of Alencon or Chantilly lace - the same as the overlaid bodice. There is a circular lace latticework collar. The dress is floor length and the torso of the dress is separated by a low level all-over lace frilled waistband. The dress at this point is gently gathered to create volume with an additional tiered ruffle hemline.

The dress is unlabelled and has clearly been made with care and attention by a good dressmaker or designer with an eye for earlier fashions. There is a lot of work involved and the construction has a very pleasing effect on the eye. It is in really excellent condition. There are no marks or holes and the lace looks crisp and fresh. For a modern look, these dresses are increasingly worn without undergarments but this dress was most likely made as bridalwear and would look sublime with a satin slip. This piece has some flexibility in the design, could easily be altered, and we recommend it for UK Size 8-10, US 4-6.

MEASUREMENTS:
BUST - 34 in. (86.4 cm)
WAIST - 31.4 in. (79.8 cm)
HIP - 36 in. (91.4 cm)
LENGTH - 52 in. (132 cm)
SHOULDERS - 14 in. (35.6 cm)