dior dress black Vintage 1950s Christian Dior New Look Dress Black Silk Taffeta Medium – Poppy's Vintage Clothing

dior dress black Vintage 1950s Christian Dior New Look Dress Black Silk Taffeta Medium – Poppy's Vintage ClothingThis is an early 1950s dress made in the New Look style that was originally introduced by Christian Dior in 1947. The New Look was an attempt by Dior to offer the public something different, after the austerity experienced during WWII. Because use of fabric had been restricted during the war, Dior used yards of fabric to make a fuller skirt, and a womans silhouette was emphasized by accenting the waist. This dress is made with full length raglan

This is an early 1950s dress made in the “New Look” style that was originally introduced by Christian Dior in 1947.  The New Look was an attempt by Dior to offer the public something different, after the austerity experienced during WWII.  Because use of fabric had been restricted during the war, Dior used yards of fabric to make a fuller skirt, and a woman’s silhouette was emphasized by accenting the waist.  

This dress is made with full length raglan sleeves.  The neckline is high with a narrow collar and the dress is constructed in a way that gives the appearance of a overcoat being worn over a plain dress, although it is all one piece, held together by seven buttons down either side of the front.  The “jacket” is gathered in pleats at the upper bodice and extends below the waistline and flays out with two large applied square pockets at either side of the hips.  The skirt is full with a below the knee length.  There are “ties” at either sleeve cuff - I’ve posed them a certain way, but they could perhaps be posed otherwise.  The dress is unlined.

Label: Christian Dior New York Original - In Canada Exclusive with Holt Renfrew & Co., Limited.  The Christian Dior New York label is a pret-a-porter label, but 50s garments of this era were designed by Christian Dior himself.

Color:  Black

Material: Silk taffeta 

Sizing: No size is indicated, and although this should fit a medium size, please note the following measurements for fit, taking into account the style of the dress:

Shoulders:  17” across approximate - difficult to measure due to raglan cut

Sleeves:  22 1/2” long from approximated shoulder

Sleeve inseam:  17”

Bust:  40” around, taken at the underarms

Waist:  28” around, uncinched 

Hips:  Full - meant to hang loosely

Length:  45” 

Condition:  It is in very good condition with no wear, tear, staining or odor.  It is missing its original belt, but you can use whatever you wish and a belt is not absolutely necessary.  There are two buttonholes at the very top, but no buttons or closure - I’m unsure as to what might have been there originally, but something could be improvised.

This is a fabulous New Look dress by the original designer of the New Look, Christian Dior - rare to find in this condition!