1960's Matte Silk Jersey Cocktail Dress with Pleated Shelf Bust

"Blains, Las Vegas" label. This dress is gorgeous, but super small in bust and has flaws. Made of matte black silk jersey. Very fitted and slinky. Pleating across bust, with straps that extend down under bust line, creating a shelf. The dress is lined in silk crepe de Chine, and has boning or stays on side seams for shape. Fastens with back metal zipper. Flaws: Front skirt has 4 tiny holes, back of dress below waist has a series of snaps sewn on, but the piece that snaps onto it is missing. One of the straps has a tiny bit of fraying along the edge. Dress has not been cleaned. Size small. Shown on a size 2/4 mannequin with a 33" bust, could not fasten all the way up in back. Measures 32" bust, 25" waist, 36" hips, 27" midriff-just under bust, 15 1/2" shoulder to waist, 26" waist to hem. For a larger view click here. For a side view click here. For a back view click here. For a view of the label click here.

Item #WBLAI

Size: Extra Small Bust - 32" 25" 36"

Price: $65.00/shipping

1960's Custom Made Silk Hourglass Dress and Jacket Set with Decorative Pleating

No labels, a gorgeous custom made dress suit of silk satin brocade. Colors are black with purple abstract design. Dress is super fitted, with the most gorgeous decoratively pleated bodice, including sleeves. Bodice is surplice style, with V neckline. Skirt is slim fitting, and has light pleating at sides of waist. There is a matching satin-backed belt which is also pleated. The jacket is bolero style, a short cropped length with short sleeves and decorative bows. Lined in black silk crepe, jacket fastens with two hidden snaps. Dress fastens with back metal zipper, belt fastens with 3 hooks and eyes. The set is in excellent to mint condition, dress has been altered smaller in waist. Size small/petite. Dress measures 36" bust, 25" waist, 34" hips, 14" shoulder to waist, 24" waist to hem. For a larger view click here. For a back view click here. For a view of dress with jacket click here and here.

Item #WCSTM

Size: Small/petite  36" 25" 34" (14" shoulder to waist)

Price: $128.00/shipping

1950's Gustave Tassell Matte Satin Evening Dress

"Tassell" and "Marshall Field & Co." labels, late 50's to early 60's. Tassell is considered one of the great American couturiers. Tassell started his own business in California in 1959 and won a Coty Award.  He was hired by the house of Norell after Norman Norell died in 1972. A couture collectible piece and in excellent to mint condition. It is a very dark midnight blue, almost black it is so dark. The fabric is a matte silk satin taffeta. The dress is styled with a scoop neckline, plunges in the back. Cap sleeves, fitted bodice and waist. Bodice is strategically darted front and back for shape. The skirt is lightly pleated around the waist, for fullness. On lower skirt there is a self panel of fabric decorated with a center self bow. The matching belt has coordinating bow at center front, and fastens in back with hooks and eyes over the metal zipper placket. The dress is beautifully lined in olive silk taffeta, the taffeta lining fastens under outer zipper placket with it's own set of hooks and eyes. The dress is in excellent to mint condition. Looks hardly worn, maybe once or twice. Absolutely flawless. Size medium, too. Measures 16 1/2" shoulder to shoulder edge, 39" bust, 36" midriff, 30" waist, free hips, 16" shoulder to waist, 29" waist to hem. When I first saw this dress I was sure it was a Dior, but not surprised at all to find the Tassell label. A rare find. For a larger view click here. For a side view click here. For a back view click here. For a view of the labels click here and here.

Item #WTASSE

Size: Medium-large 39" 30" free hips

1950's Frank Starr Silk Print Dress with Decorative Pleating

"Frank Starr Original" and "Designer Shop, Chas. A. Stevens & Co. Chicago" labels. A gorgeous navy blue silk hourglass dress with floral print in aqua blue, violet blue, and olive green. The dress is styled with a scoop neckline and cap sleeves. There is decorative pleating across the bodice front bust down to waist. The pleating just below the bust creates a "shelf". There are a set of pleats below waist seam, too. The dress is lined in navy silk, and fastens with back metal zipper. In excellent condition with very little wear, only flaw is a small pea sized faint spot on bodice pleat, not noticeable. Size medium. Measures 16" shoulder to shoulder edge, up to 38" bust, 28" waist, 38" hips, 16" shoulder to waist, 27" waist to hem. For a larger view click here. For a side view click here. For a back view click here. For a view of the labels click here and here.

Item #WFSTA

Size: Medium 38" 28" 38"

Price: $120.00/shipping