Exceptional 1940s Original Vintage Chartreuse Green Rayon Draped Cocktail Evening Dress
This incredible cocktail dress was made in the late 1940s from chartreuse green rayon. The bodice was styled to be simple and elegant with a high neckline and mandarin collar. Pleated shoulder overhangs draw attention to the wearer’s shoulder line and give structure to the dolman sleeves. This simple bodice allows the eye to fully focus on the exquisite structurally draped hips and bustle back, which give fantastic shape and movement to the dress. This drape work strongly resembles the designs of the inimitable Dorothy O’Hara of Paramount Studios fame and could either be an unlabelled piece of hers or a design that is strongly inspired by her work. The waistline is defined with a shaped yolk from which the drape work begins and an original metal zipper fastens the dress at the centre of the back.
Bust: 32” (tight 34”)
Waist: 25” (tight 26”)
Hips: 36”
Length: 49”
The dress is in good condition, however there are a few very faint water marks and smudges as well as minor seam pops, pinholes and an area of dropped hem as pictured.
4628
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.