This is a stunning dress from the 1940s. Probably home-made from wonderfully soft wool flannel in a striking oversized green and charcoal-black plaid, the dress has a beautifully fitted bodice, gently structured shoulders and a neat folded collar that crosses softly at the front. Three-quarter sleeves keep the upper half wonderfully clean and allow the dramatic proportions of the skirt to take over.
The waist is closely fitted before opening into a remarkably full, pleated skirt. We particularly love the way the large-scale plaid changes direction through the construction of the dress — creating almost diamond-shaped areas across the bodice and wonderful movement through the skirt.
The fabric itself is one of the things that makes this piece so appealing: warm but relatively supple, with the softly brushed surface characteristic of wool flannel.
A fabulous example of 1940s daywear, with that wonderful balance between practicality and drama that we are always looking for.
The dress closes at the back with a vintage metal zipper. The zipper appears to be an older replacement rather than the original fastening.
Please make sure you double check your own measures and compare them to the ones below.
Shoulders, seam to seam: Rounded
Shoulders, side to side: -
Armpit to armpit: 19" (48cm)
Sleeves:
Armhole sleeve girth: 10" (26cm)
Waist: 29" (74cm)
Hips: -
Shoulder to waist: 16" (40cm)
Waist to bottom: 27" (68cm) - not enough hem to let down
Lenght: 43" (108cm)
Sweep, side to side: 53" (134cm)
Fabric: Flannel wool
Condition: Mint condition