Stunning Late 1930s 30s / Early 1940s 40s Volup Vintage Navy Blue And Pink Dress With Trapunto Shoulders And Pockets

This fabulous dress was made from navy blue crepe around the turn of the decade between the 1930s and 1940s. It was cut in the classic hourglass silhouette of the period with tiny shoulder pads puffing out the tops of the sleeves and a nipped waist. The waist is further accentuated through the stunning original fabric belt with a pull through buckle which can be worn both ways round, either entirely pink or pink with a navy central stripe. The real statement feature of the dress is the delicate geometric trapunto work that adorns both the functional hip pockets and the shoulders of the dress. The workmanship is utterly stunning and must have been incredibly time consuming. A line of shirring on each shoulder allows the fabric to fall in delicate pleats across the bust and the skirt is wonderfully free flowing. The back of the neck fastens with a single button and a beautiful keyhole cut out below and there is an original metal side zipper. 

Bust: 40-42”

Waist: 32” (can be cinched smaller with belt)

Hips: free

Shoulders: 16” seam to seam 

Length: 42 1/2” plus 2” hem

The dress is in good condition, however there is a small hole near the back of the neck, a seam split at the shoulder, sone fraying beat the point of the neckline, some white speckling on the shoulders and a couple of small grazes 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.