Actual Measurements
Bust 38 inches.
Waist 28 inches
Hips are full
Total length 44 inches
Outside shoulder to waist 15 inches

To make sure something will fit, take measurements from a piece of clothing that fits you well and use those measurements to compare. If you use your personal actual measurements, you should always figure needing two inches extra for breathing room.

Label- Ben Barrack New York.

Closes with side metal zipper. There are front fabric covered buttons with loops that are functional.

Fabric is a medium thick rayon/linen blend. It has a wider weave. It is a heavier fabric and this dress weighs 1 1/2 pounds. The embroidery appears to be machine made. This dress is unlined.

Two side pockets.

Condition

The hem has its original factory sewn hem, but a portion is hand sewn where the original hem seam came undone. 

The embroidery is all intact. I show close up examples from the outside and inside. 

This dress is heavy, at 1 1/2 pounds. This fabric also likes to fray and I show a inside example of that. Some preservation work has been done by sewing a zig zag seam along the inside edges to stop the fray from spreading. 

There are 4 red thread areas that look like hole repairs. I did not do these, but it makes sense since this is a fabric that likes to fray and make holes. They are in the front of the dress. You can see one of them in the full length photo, on the right side. I do think they blend into the pattern well.

You can also see that fray a little bit along the arm seams. The armhole seams are edged with a seam line that stop any further fray from spreading.

There is the slightest hint of some rust occurring along the edge of the fabric covered buttons. It is very faint and only seen on very close inspection.

Perhaps the slightest bit of discoloration under the arms. Very faint.

Probably missing a original belt.

In short, this dress has been worn and loved, by several people over the years. It has had time spent on it to keep it wearable for others.  That is a testament to the attractiveness of this dress.

What Diane Likes About This Dress

The Ben Barrack label is not one you see very often. Ben Barrack was a husband and wife team that owned a New York, 7th Avenue, fashion house. Ben ran the business and his wife, Florence, was the designer. Although it was a smaller operation, it was a significant player in the market. Barrack designs were featured in major magazines and in ads for upscale department stores like Bonwit Teller. I like these husband and wife fashion teams, although it is very disappointing to see the label feature Ben and not Florence, or at the very least both. This dress really speaks to the design skills that Florence brought to the success of the company. It is understated elegance, yet the embroidery brings beauty and craftsmanship. Florence choose to not overwhelm the dress with the pattern and there is a nice cohesion between pattern and design. 

Because of the issues with this dress, it needs a special owner. One that appreciates the history and the preservation of this piece. Some one who will help this dress move on for another generation and for the legacy of Florence.

"What I always loved about vintage clothes is that you let the woman who wore them before you live on in some way."  Liz Goldwyn

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”   Confucius

This dress weighs 1.5 pounds and can ship ground advantage or priority mail. Both options are offered. It is to bulky to fit into a flat rate envelope for priority mail.

I am always happy to combine shipping.

I have a large amount of vintage clothing and am always adding new pieces.