Gorgeous Original 1940s 40s Vintage Black Beaded Cocktail Dress

This stunning dress was made from from black crepe in the 1940s. It was cut in the classic fitted hourglass silhouette of the period with padded shoulders and a nipped waist. The unusual high neckline has been adorned with beading on either side as well as inside the inverted pleat at the centre of the neck giving a peekaboo effect. The back of the neck features a keyhole detail and the waist can be cinched in with the original fabric belt. The skirt has a little swish giving it lovely movement and the dress fastens with an original metal side zipper. 

Bust: 40”-42”

Waist: 32” (tight 34”)

Hips: 48”

Length: 43 1/4” plus 3 1/2” hem

The dress is in very good condition with only a couple of missing beads at the peekaboo section. 

4501

This garment is available to purchase with or without dress shields. These clever little contraptions have been made by our seamstress to an original 1940s pattern and can be simply attached to your garment by tack stitching at the corners of the underarm seam, pinning (we wouldn’t recommend that, it hurts if it goes wrong, so if you try this, it is at your own risk only) or inserting tiny poppers. They then stand ready to absorb any sweat and body odours as needed and you can simply detach and launder them instead of your garment, saving you a fortune in dry cleaning bills.

They are equally suitable for suits, blazers and dresses and come in two different options:

1. Pure cream cotton for your heavier weight dresses, blazers and suits

or

2. White cotton muslin for lightweight summer dresses (so they don’t show through the fabric)

They are universally sized and super easy to use even for a sewing novice as only a couple of tiny stitches are required at each side to secure them.

We sell Dress Shields as a standalone item or at a discount if you purchase them with a garment. We will select the appropriate type to match the garment you have purchased.