ArtFire

A mid 1950's full-skirted dress ideal for work, dinner, or a party! By design house Abby Kent.

The shirtwaist bodice has 5 goldtone buttons and snap and hook & eye closures at waist. Box pleats at waist and hidden on-seam pocket on right side. Long vertical darts from bust to waist and double tucks on each side of center back. Belt loops present, but no belt (one shown not included). Fabric is a silky-feeling, mid-weight acetate with a bit of "swish" to it. The abstract print looks like a houndstooth-in-diamonds pattern, in light tan and variegated colors of brown and rust. Perfect for for fall, but can be worn year round. Shown with a crinoline, not included. Can be worn with a less-full crinni or without one--your choice.

Condition: Structurally excellent; no stains, fraying fabric, snags, holes, etc. Cosmetically, there may be very slight fading across the top of the shoulders and sleeve. But, I'm not sure this is indeed fading. There are several shades of brown and rust in the dress; when I compare the color at the shoulders with the same colors in the skirt, the match is almost perfect. There may be just the slightest of color variation, which is not unusual for acetate. My studio lighting makes this look worse. Because of the pattern and natural color variation, this isn't really noticeable, especially under normal lighting. Dress has been hemmed up and the new hem straight-stitched by machine, not visible unless you examine the hemline closely. Clean and ready to wear. I've priced the dress to account for these minor issues.

Size: Approx. size 8, but go by the dimensions below. We suggest you compare to a dress you have of similar style or fit. This fit my size 6/8 dress form nicely, with a bit of room through the bust, but a tight fit through the waist. You can gain about another 1/2" in the waist by moving the snaps and/or the hook & eye over.

Bust: 39"
Waist: 27"
Hip: Full"
Bodice Length, from top of shoulder to waist: Approx. 15 3/4"
Length, down center back: 39"

Shipping Notes: Shipping includes insurance to most locations. However, for a few international locations, must ship USPS Priority Mail (at extra cost). If you're outside the U.S., please contact us before ordering to verify shipping & insurance details. We are not responsible for your country's duty fees. And it is illegal for us to mark the customs form as a gift.

Member VFG, Vintage Fashion Guild

Abby Kent was a New York City apparel maker in the heyday of the NYC garment industry. Started in the 30s, it was sold in the mid 50s by its founders. Though not a particularly upscale maker, their apparel was of great quality and style. They continued to make lovely party dresses into the 80s, and are apparently still in business today, although current information on the firm is hard to find.

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