This truly magnificent 1950's lilac nylon chiffon and satin dress with a matching satin shawl jacket, embellished with a pattern of trailing lilac flowers rendered in iridescent floral beads, grey pearlescent beads and accented by lilac satin leaf appliqués, surrounded by iridescent white glass bugle beads, is the perfect statement piece to add to your cocktail wardrobe.
The strapless cut of the dress is accented by a straight cut bodice which is set off by a pleated lilac satin panel. The boned and fitted bodice, is accented by trailing beadwork along the front of the bodice. The cinched in waistline, sets off the wonderful drape of the full skirt, which boasts trailing floral beadwork along the front. The dress is fully lined in lilac coloured rayon and boasts a starched cotton petticoat along the skirt-line to add volume to the skirt-line. This piece has been photographed with a medium petticoat to add to the structural design of the dress, this is not included in the listing.
The matching jacket, rendered in a lilac satin , contours the neckline in a soft shawl collar, which joins the front panels of the jacket in long satin shawl ties. The simple shoulder line, sets off the wide mid length sleeves, which join the back hemline if the jacket. The elegant cut of the shawl jacket is accented by seams along each yoke, from which a single pleat drapes along the bust-line. The shawl strands of the jacket can be worn draped along the arms, or fastened along the waistline, to complete the timeless and dazzling silhouette of this piece.
Label: None
Measurements of the Dress
Armpit to Armpit: 34 inches
Neckline to Hem: 39.5 inches
Waist: up to 26 inches
Hips: up 52 inches
Measurement of the Shawl Jacket
Shoulder to Hem
Armpit to Armpit: 36 inches
Shoulder to end of sleeve: 14 inches
Nape to hemline: 15.5 inches
Shoulder to edge of shawl strand: 43 inches
Size: UK 8 US 4
Closures: This dress fastens along the side seam with a 14 inch zip and two hook and eye and internally along the waistline with two hook and eyes.
Condition: This dress is set in good but not perfect vintage condition. The satin jacket has considerable colour fading to it, this appears almost like an ombré colour way effect, but it is fading due to prolonged exposure to sunlight during storage. This is apparent along the nape and back of the neckline and along the shoulders. This is also apparent along the edges of the shawl strands. Two very faint age marks along the right hand sleeve just above the cuff area. A speckling pattern of sun bleaching is apparent along the right hand side shawl. A small water marks along the right hand side of the shawl . A light speckling of sun bleaching along the front left hand side of the shawl strands and to the left hand side sleeve. The dress has colour fading to match those of the jacket along the pleated satin along the top of the bodice. Some of the satin leaf appliqués have speckling of sun bleaching to them. Light and natural bead loss to the beadwork along the dress, a small amount of the flower bases have come away ( this is not apparent) and some of the glass bugle beads are missing. The nylon overlay has a small scattering of age marks along the left hand side seam of the skirt line. The lilac rayon petticoat has areas of sun bleaching to it and colour variation, with some gentle age marks and water marks scattered throughout ( this is not apparent externally as it is part of the lining of the dress) The cotton starched petticoat is fully age marked throughout, again this is not apparent externally and is merely part of the dress lining. Although well listed, these minor faults and issues with the dress do not detract from its wearability or beauty. These flaws are not overly apparent when the dress is being worn and do not detract the eye. Please refer to the photographs as they form part of the condition report.
Washing instructions: This garment should be dry cleaned or hand washed in cool water.
Fabric: Nylon chiffon, rayon, glass beads, pearlescent beads, silk appliqués, boning, cotton petticoat, satin.
Vintage garments have been previously worn and lovingly cared for, they may however have a blemish or two. Here at Willow Hilson, we try our very best to note all the details of each garment, although we may sometimes overlook things, which we do apologise for. Please do not expect perfection, unless stated so.
Please make sure you check all the measurements of the garment before purchasing. Vintage garment sizes are not the same as those of today. To ensure the best fit, we suggest you measure your favourite similar style garment and compare it to the measurements we have listed.
