Vintage 1955 Cocktail Length Fit and Flare Organza Party Dress w/ Cummerbund Wrap Sash & Tulle Slip Petticoat

Dress "B" - 1 of 2 available, same style

I love vintage fashion!  It's getting harder and harder to find, and it isn't inexpensive any more, but if I find something that grabs me at a reasonable price, I tend to take a chance on it for resell provided my hand doesn't go through it from rot, has no mildew, and doesn't smell like smoke or animals.  My hopes are that someone that loves vintage as much as I do can find a purpose for it..... whether it is to wear, recondition and resell in a shop, use the fabric from it, display it, use in theater, or to study it for design..... hopefully to carry on the rescue and keep it out of the landfill.  98% of the time dresses of this age need TLC repairs and mends and will have flaws and need some cleaning.  I purchased this wedding dress, along with the 2 pink bridesmaid dresses (separate listings) from an estate closet.  They were worn in a 1955 June wedding.  They are all 50's fit and flare style dresses.     

This listing is for Dress "B" - a pink semi-sheer organza fit & flare cocktail length dress that features flirty pleated inset short sleeves, a wrap and fasten wide cummerbund sash, and a separate lined tulle petticoat slip.  This dress is about an inch or so smaller than Dress A in a separate listing and would not fit on my mannie girl at all.  Thus, I used the same mannequin photos for both dresses as distinguishable differences are not notable, but I included specific photos showing damage/TLC needs.  

The dresses in this lot were an unfortunate mess.  I still wonder why someone goes to the time and trouble to get the perfect party or bridal gowns, and then doesn't properly store or clean them after they are worn, but sadly it is more often than not the norm.  This gown was not cleaned or stored properly.  It was stored hung in a sort of wadded up, uncovered mess in the back of a closet for nearly 75 years.  But I was intrigued, and in examining it I couldn't put my fist through it, nor did it shred when I put a good bias tug on it, so overall rot wasn't evident and it didn't smell like smoke, so I decided to take the chance.  My thoughts when I purchase dresses like this are that I can hopefully bring back some of the initial beauty enough to make it presentable for resell.  It was very yellowed from age and dust exposure over the decades, so I shook out what dust I could and went on to using a restorative wet soak.  Two 24 hours soaks removed most of the yellowing (not all, it could probably benefit from a couple more), but at least it comes out good enough to see some color, and the soak additionally tells me if the fabric will withstand at least display purposes.  Originally this dress would have been a pretty pink, but residual yellowing leaves it sort of a peachy-pink.  I rinsed it well and hung it to dry on a padded hanger.  After it is dry I fit in on my junior size mannequin and lightly steam it enough to remove major wrinkles so you can see the design and shape.  (I don't hot press vintage fashions, as I want you to be able to do additional soaks if you want.  My concern is that pressing with a hot iron to remove all wrinkles may set any remaining yellowing or spots, and I don't want to do that, I want you to decide what further steps you want to take in restoring it).  While it is on the mannequin, I look for areas/spots that obviously didn't come out, or areas of fabric damage that need repairs/mends and try to get photos of those to include.  I can 100% say that I didn't capture every tiny flaw, but hey, this is an almost 75-year-old dress, so perfection is not to be expected.  I show the worst that are notable to me as I am working with it and displaying it for photos.  There are not enough photo spots in this ad to include pics of the measurements, so I include those below.  This particular dress is made of a semi-sheer organza and there is no stretch to this fabric, so measurements are actual and taken flat or on the mannie on top of the fabric, so you should deduct at least an inch from them for comparing to your own for fit.  This dress is a vintage size SMALL, the petticoat wouldn't fasten around her waist and the cummerbund wouldn't close completely.  

 
Dress "B" Measurements: 


In final, this dress is a very pretty, era specific home-sewn fashion that was made to fit a specific bridesmaid with a smaller 1950's figure.  As it is, I think you could wear it very carefully for a short time if it fits you and you make some repairs.  IMO a couple more soaks would brighten it up a little more, but I can't say for sure how much more.  For display and study purposes, it still has a lot to offer.   It is sold as is, no returns.  There is very little profit margin on dresses like this, so finding and spending time on them, and offering them is pretty much my personal labor of love.  Please message me if you have any questions and I will answer back..... even if I don't have an answer.  

Shipping:  USPS with tracking, insurance.  Of course you are going to have to steam again, it will come more wrinkled.  I gently fold/roll garments like this, wrap them with a covering of clean pattern tissue, then bag and box them for the best shipping safety.  I am happy to combine for shipping/postage savings if you request it from your cart before paying.  I can't combine if you pay for items separately.  I have to be able to send you a revised invoice that shows the newly figured postage costs per your zip code, and you pay from that invoice.  Questions on this, just message me. 

Thanks for Looking!