Featured Lilli Ann Cocktail Dress...Button Fixed, Now Belt...?

The whole inside of the dress has this black tape at the seams. I don't know if alterations could have been done by the maker in a shop?

Thank you!

Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful reply! I think it looks quite good without the belt but I don't want to alter it by snipping the original thread loops. Hmm. The bottom of the loop is inline with the waist seam, so the belt would sit just above it.

 

I remember my mother told me those little thread loops were just for keeping the belt matched with dress in the store & meant to be removed after purchase.

 

Love that! And makes perfectly good sense.

Debora

 

Back in the day, all couture clothing had taped seams. Just ask Jackie Kennedy. It is much neater so.

 

I can understand not wanting to snip the thread loops, and respectfully disagree with those who said thread loops were meant to be removed after purchase. If you decide not to wear a belt, you could hand stitch/tack the loops to the dress so they aren't noticeable.

I've bought and sold hundreds of used vintage dresses from the 50s-60s and many with a waist seam had thread or fabric belt loops. Both types were meant to help hold the belt at the waist seam since not every woman's natural waist is exactly in line with the waist seam.

Some belt loops (whether thread or fabric) have both ends sewn into the waist seam, and some have the ends above and below the waist seam. When both ends are sewn into the waist seam, I always thread the belt through so the belt is centered over the seam. If the belt is threaded through so it's positioned above the seam, it's usually too far above since the loops are always made a little larger than the width of the belt.

However, in the case of this Lilli Ann dress, if you decide to wear a belt with it, it may work best to thread it through the loops so it sits a little above the waist seam as you mentioned--the waist seam isn't conspicuous anyway.

 

I had not heard that before! But can I tell you how many people I've had to quietly let know that their coat's vent is not supposed to still be tacked shut. Or how many thifted items I've discovered the pockets still stitched shut on?? So it would not surprise me if that was the case. These threads are twisted and thicker than the tacked pieces I've seen though.

I have to imagine those clothes were meant to last longer too! Any way to cut a cost on fast fashion....

Thanks again for your considerate response. Tacking them down is a good thought... Especially if I find I want to wear it before I have found a suitable belt or belt fabric. We're entering the "darker" months when all my black dresses come out and a fabric like this is great for the season. I do have some plain black silk...just needs a stiffer base. Hmmm.

 

If the whole dress has matching taped seams I'd imagine the hemming was done by the maker. Possibly designed that way originally.

 

Does it have shoulder pads?

Debora

 

No shoulder pads, just a bra strap loop and snaps.

 

But never designed for shoulder pads? No extra space where they might have been removed?

Debora

 

To stiffen: buckram. (Have no clue from where that was dredged, but it IS correct!)

 

1950's dresses didn't have shoulder pads (maybe some rare exceptions). The 1940's square/broad-shoulder look went out of style with Dior's "New Look," which was much more feminine with natural rounded shoulders.

The portrait collar on this Lilli Ann dress extends almost to the shoulders giving it a very feminine look with emphasis on the neck/throat, not on the shoulders.

Edit: The bra/slip strap loops with snaps indicate that the neck is wide enough for straps to show if not held in place. So if the collar could be steamed and straightened out a little, it would widen the neck area.

 

Yes, that's why I was asking. To confirm that it is indeed 1950s.

Debora

 

I'm sorry, I thought your comment meant you were thinking it should have had shoulder pads--I was reading too much into it.

 

No space for shoulder pads since the collar is so wide.

Yes, it definitely needs a steam and/or pressing, especially on the collar. I mentioned it in my original post because I knew everyone's eagle eyes would see it and I was too excited to show the shape to bother! It's hanging out for that when I iron some fabric for a project this week. I definitely want it to be ready to wear. I have about 8+ events already this month...

 

Best wishes for all to go well for you!

 

It's a great dress and fits you beautifully! Personally, would want a thin black belt, but it looks fine without - regarding the thread belt loops, like Joan, would also disagree that they were supposed to be removed, they kept the belt in place while allowing a bit of movement. One of my first jobs when helping my Mom sew clothes in the mid-60s was making them, double strand of buttonhole thread, chain-looped...

~Cheryl