Exceptional Original 1930s Volup Vintage Purple Lamé Draped Evening Dress With Matching Jacket

This exceptional evening dress was made in the 1930s from purple lamé fabric with a botanical pattern. It is even more vibrant in real life than the photos can convey. The gown was cut in the classic silhouette of the period with a super flattering draped cross over bodice. The dress gently skims the wearer’s waist before falling freely in flowing pleats to the ground. Beautiful pleating and twist detailing adorned the straps and the bust to give wonderful period detailing. And even better, it comes with a matching purple lamé jacket which is open fronted and features gently gathered shoulders. The jacket has long lapels which allow the sumptuous purple velvet lining to show though. Matching royal purple velvet also adorns the jacket cuffs and the shoulders have inbuild stiffeners to give that gathered shoulder silhouette. This piece truly is the epitome of 1930s old Hollywood glamour and would comfortably grace any red carpet today.

 
Please note that the dress does not have any openings so you will need to be smaller than the below measurements to allow for room to put it on. There is some stretch to the fabric (measurements below show fabric at rest and at maximum comfortable stretch), however we would advise against wearing it at the top end of the measurement range to prevent staining the seams. 

Dress

Bust: 38-44”

Waist: 32-34”

Hips: 48-52”

Length: 57”

Jacket

Shoulders: 16 1/2” seam to seam

Length: 21”

The dress is in good condition with only a few minor professional repairs where there was fraying at the seams including some that has been backed with fabric to limit any future strain. There are also some loose lamé threads and a few areas of slight tarnish. The largest area of tarnish is across the back of the jacket shoulder and was likely caused by a metal hanger of sorts. This mark, whilst noticeable, becomes much less so in the diminished light in which the gown would likely be worn. 

4585

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.