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Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:38 pm  |
Unf. I don't have a pic. But if I describe maybe someone can help. I'm looking for a dress I think is from the 50s or 60s. It's usually figure hugging w/ straight or pencil skirt. The bodice is generally strapless (straight across) and the dress has a lace overlay. The neck line is either jewelneck or sometimes mock neck.
I think I've seen Lucille Ball in such a dress or Joanne Woodward back in the day. But I googled them fruitlessly.
Anyone know what, if anything, this dress is called? I'd love to be able to find a vintage one. Thanks! |
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Tue Mar 07, 2006 9:17 pm |
Hi TooInvolved - Sounds like a classic "sheath" dress to me, although the lace overlay isn't requisite. There are contemporary variations that don't exactly conform to what you described, for instance, the necklines may not be jewel-like, and the hemlines may not fall at or around the knee like a classic. But any sheath should be slim and form-fitting.
You may want to rent a video of "The Long Hot Summer" with Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman. It's been ages since I've seen it, but I think you may be correct in thinking she sported this style in her heyday. |
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Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:53 am |
you're such a google-junkie Candy  |
_________________
Location: Denmark. Me = 32, think I'm combo without oiliness + sometimes sensitive. Have noticed that skin doesn't heal as quickly anymore and I've developed fine lines around my eyes... Hormonal breakouts which are sometimes cystic. PCOS |
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Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:12 am |
I can see the dress in my mind perfectly. I agree that it's probably called a strapless "sheath."
I would also google Jackie O., Katherine Hepburn, and Grace Kelly.
I also wonder whether the internet has sewing patterns from this era that would have one.
Good Luck! |
_________________
36, skin in a "new" phase? Oil/break-out free but now having bouts of sensitivity and surface dehydration. |
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Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:16 am |
Thanks, all! Candy, I didn't see the dress there. But 50s web is a great source!
I agree the dress is likely a sheath. But I'm wondering if when it has the lace on top (usually just sewn to the bodice) is it called something different altogether?
Thanks, again! |
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Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:06 am |
Hello again TooInvolved - I think I know now what you mean about the top part of the dress (it didn't register at first). Yes, it's still a sheath. Sometimes the overlay was chiffon, mesh or another type of sheer fabric. The term sheath simply denotes the silhouette of the dress.
I actually have a sheath myself. I bought it at Saks about 5 yrs. ago and it's sleeveless with a square neckline in a beautiful shade of greyish aqua, with some shimmer (silk/linen/metallic fiber). I only wore it once, but sheaths are classics so I'm holding on to it! The only thing I don't like about them (or mine) is the creasing in the lap area after sitting -- because sheaths are so form-fitting, this is almost unavoidable unless the fabric is such that it isn't inclined to wrinkle. |
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Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:53 am |
For some reason, the term sheath didn't occur to me before I read your post. I'll google "sheath" and some other keywords, and look for them on ebay too. I really want a sheath with the lace/mesh/etc on top. I don't know why the dress popped into my head, but when I get on jags like this I become a fiend about it. I'm sooo into the vintage/glamour thing right now. Maybe I'll just have to get the dress made. I've done that. Trick is finding a good seamstress - and being able to describe the dress correctly.
YOUR DRESS SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks much!
T |
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Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:54 pm |
| m.april wrote: |
| The only thing I don't like about them (or mine) is the creasing in the lap area after sitting -- because sheaths are so form-fitting, this is almost unavoidable unless the fabric is such that it isn't inclined to wrinkle. |
I agree! But I recently purchased a black Jones New York sheath made of a poly/lycra blend and it doesn't wrinkle at all. Fortunately, not too much lycra so that it clings in all the wrong places!
Ann Taylor makes alot of sheaths, now that I think of it... and I think they also use a similar fabric.
Maybe check out Ann Taylor's website in your pursuit. |
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36, skin in a "new" phase? Oil/break-out free but now having bouts of sensitivity and surface dehydration. |
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Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:38 am |
Thanks, LandB-
You guys have been a HUGE help!
I googled Grace Kelly and it turns out her wedding dress has the top (bodice? yoke?) I want. I just want a straight skirt though, knee length:
I googled Audrey Hepburn also and came up with a photo of this gown, which I've been searching for for YEARS. I have the movie My Fair Lady and had a dress made like this for my wedding:
*Sorry for the huge pics! They were even bigger - I resized them. |
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Wed Mar 15, 2006 3:01 am |
those dresses are lovely...  |
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Location: Denmark. Me = 32, think I'm combo without oiliness + sometimes sensitive. Have noticed that skin doesn't heal as quickly anymore and I've developed fine lines around my eyes... Hormonal breakouts which are sometimes cystic. PCOS |
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Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:08 pm |
Just wanted to say how lovely the dresses are! Sorry I can't help you on your find TooInvolved, I do hope you find your vintage dress. When you do, please post a picture of it.  |
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Early 40's, normal/dry, Oily T zone (summer) fine lines, hyperpigmentation |
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Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:27 pm |
Thanks, guys!
When I was planning my wedding, I saw a gown inspired by the one above from My Fair Lady (the embassy ball scene).
It was $5K at the time and I can't recall the designer. I also write for a fashion and beauty blog. Wedding season's coming up. If anyone knows of where I can point readers to get a dress like this, please let me know.
And, I just heard on TV that Grace Kelly's wedding gown will be on exhibition at the Phila. Museum of Art April 1 to May 21. I am sooo thrilled! Great timing!
Thanks!
T |
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