Incredible Late 1920s / Early 1930s Vintage Black Cocktail Dress With Lace Inserts

This incredible dress was made from black rayon crepe in the late 1920s. The dress was cut to the classic straighter line of the period, gently skimming the wearer’s body. Fabulous zip zag detailing punctuates the entire dress, from the hip seam to the sleeve cuffs and the bottom of the nude lace panel at the bust and adds a wonderful design detail. The lace panel has been adorned with paste studs and a stunning art nouveau decoration at the neckline. Matching lace also forms the lower section of the sleeves, which close with poppers and sets off the beautiful fluted zig zag detailing on the crepe. The lowest section of the skirt has a little flare to give it that movement that any flapper girl needs and the hem is slightly longer at the back. The dress slides on over the head and has no openings, please take this into account when looking at the measurements. 

Bust: 38”

Waist: 36”

Hips: 41”

Shoulders: 14” seam to seam 

Length: 46 1/2” at the back and 1” shorter at the front 

The dress is in very good condition with only the beginnings of a few hole in the lace and a small tear near the hem as pictured. 

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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.