There is just something about a dress made in the 1950s that often no other time period can beat. The attention to detail and level of quality is unmatched. This dress has a Bonwit Teller label but no other label to give us a clue as to who might have made it. It is beautifully made and the lines of it are stunning. The bodice curves up and around the bust with curved boning that have been hand set inside to help form the shape that you see. A slight dip at the front gives the bust a pretty sweetheart shape. Sewn just inside the edge of the bodice is a ribbed white cotton panel that gives just a tiny touch pf detailing that peaks out above the black silk. Under the bust the fabric curves over the waist with vertical seaming so you get a long, unbroken line while still getting that gorgeous shape. This technique uses far more fabric then seaming it across at the waist and shows the care that has been put into creating this dress. Yards of black silk sweep to the the floor, gently widening out as it nears the hem. There is a built in inner skirt made of a stiffened dressmaker paper that helps to hold the shape without having to wear a full crinoline under the skirt. It is s stunning and amazingly long for a dress from this time period. Excellent condition.

Unlined but with a built in underskirt that is tacked through the waist. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Boned through the bodice and into the waist and the boning is set in individual silk sleeves and hand set. Stiffened ribbon finishes the inside hem for a touch of weight and shaping. Hand finishes

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 52" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD2155

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon. (Cherie is also wearing the Magnetic Midnight Egyptomania "Hartor" Headpiece - click here to see)

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.