Lilac Lace Romantic Tea Dance Cocktail Dress Party Frock - Med, Bust 36

$198.00 The price is firm
A La CArte
1980s
Excellent
No
3 Days
1980s Lilac Lace Romantic Tea Dance Dress/ Party Frock - Med, fits a Bust 36

Gorgeous Lilac Lace Dress lined in deeper purple crepe has handkerchief point hemline, fluttering lace sleeves, and features lovely lines that flatter the female form. Shoulder pads hold the sleeves out before allowing them to drop delicately over the upper arm, wide bands of lace cross over the front, then drape and wrap around the hips, and form a huge bustle like bow across the back. Circular skirt attached to bodice at hip height releases below the wrap forming the beautifully draped skirt. 


This dress is extremely flattering from all angles. It closes up the back with a long zipper, then features a back slit and fastens closed with a small covered button and fabric loop at the back top neckline. Cleverly placed seaming and darts, combined with perfect draping of the fabric shape the waistline. The lace and crepe fabric is very well utilized in this design. 

The lace fabric features swirling nature inspired Art Nouveau patterning and a delicate lilac color that was extremely popular during the 1930s. This design was inspired by 1930’s dresses. This dress is very well made. 

Fit and measurements: Fabric is soft and will drape over the body when worn. Due to the longline of the style and the construction of the torso this dress is best suited to a taller figure - 5' 7'' and taller. 

Bust is 36'' when measured over the mannequin which fits it well (She has a 36C '' Bust) This pulls the back slit open as show in back view photos and smoothes over the bust line in front as intended. It also allows room for movement. 
This style and fabric can accommodate a variety of cup sizes as it will mold over the figure. It looks good over a fuller bust such as 36D or DD.
Due to cut and characteristics of the fabric it is somewhat stretchy and adaptable and also hard to measure.  But it will mold beautifully over the body . 

There are shoulder pads in the dress that hold the shoulders out a bit and lift the lace sleeve fabric - I think they really enhance the styling of this dress and I would leave them in. However, they could easily be adjusted or removed if desired. They are just tacked in. I love they way they add to the hourglass effect of the torso shaping. See the back views of the dress that illustrate this well. 

The two panels of lace that cross over the front and wrap around the hips, then tie into the giant bow in back create the ultra slimming long-lined torso effect ( see the side view!) and show off the gorgeous fluttering lace sleeves and skirt. These panels at the hips are very flattering. 

Skirt has uneven handkerchief hemline, and the lining is shorter than the overskirt allowing the bottom edge of the skirt to be sheer lace for about 3 to 5 inches. The length of dress is measured from back nape of neck at the button to the longest portion of the hem - giving 44'' as the longest length. I estimate the shortest length to be about 6'' less or 38''  This hits below the knee to about mid calf on a 5'7'' woman. It will vary with a wearer's height. 

Dress will look best worn with strappy heels. Or a very delicate high heeled pump possibly dyed to match in satin. Or nude satin ballroom dance shoes. This would be a lovely dress for ballroom dancing, or for attending a tango or tea dance. I can also imagine Daisy in the Great Gatsby wearing it. It would suit her perfectly! The lilac color is to die for! Just the color enables me to channel the scent of lilac flowers!

This is a rare dress - beautifully designed and well constructed in excellent condition. 
I also have this same dress available in black in a size 4 should you be interested. The black one still has the tags attached. These were high end dresses when they came out. 

Should any alterations be needed they can easily be made by a dressmaker. 
If you have more questions about the fit and measurements please ask and I will do my best to answer them. 

This dress was made in the 1980s but the style is inspired by the 1930s. The color and cut of this beauty is inspired by the beautiful afternoon tea dance dresses of the 1930s. These dances were held in the garden courts of fancy European and American hotels and allowed people a chance to dress up and go out to dance to a live orchestra and enjoy a high tea or afternoon cocktail. They were prime meeting places for members of the opposite sex in big cities of the past and were also considered perfectly respectable. People loved the chance to dress up, go out and be seen and appreciated! 

Some hotels in big cities still have them. Or are bringing them back again because people love a chance to dress up and go out and show off their dance skills. Pre-covid there was one held in the Fairmont Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle 2 nights per week. It was a lot of fun with a live orchestra and people of all ages who loved to dance showing off their dancing skills. And it gave women a chance to dress up!

This would be perfect dress to wear to a tea dance, an afternoon wedding, a dressy dinner party, or a 1930s or 1980s themed event.  

It also reminds me of of the best of the 1980s glamour fashions! Like those worn in soap operas, Dallas and Twin Peaks, where all the ladies dressed up in full 1980s glamour gowns with big bows, shoulder pads, big hair and full out Isabella Rossellini style makeup. 

This dress is one of the best of the 80s genre because of the 30s inspired styling and the 30s inspired Art Nouveau patterned lace fabric and the delicate lilac color. It would be a perfect dress to wear with lilac scented perfume! 

It is also perfect as a costume in a period film or stage play or for someone who wants to dress that way in her real life!
Condition Details: Item has no notable flaws.
Item Details:
Dress
Approximate Size: Medium
Textile: Lace and Crepe
Lining: Fully Lined
Closure: Talon Zipper & Button
Size Marked: 6
Measurements:
Dress :
Shoulders 16” across including shoulder pads
Bust 36” ( to fit 36” bust and will work for a full cup size such as D or DD)
Waist 28”
Hips up to 40” due to full skirt
Length 44”
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