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Black Shoulder Bow Sabrina Dress with Looping Car Wash Skirt - XS, 1950s

About the Item

Remember Audrey Hepburn's iconic black dinner dress in "Sabrina?" This charming piece is a near perfect facsimile from the same era with one important difference: instead of a single layer circle skirt, this one has two layers and the top one is made of four wide loops of taffeta. The effect is a billowing, rustling top skirt that can be plumped into a ball skirt, gathered into a bustle, or hung from the wrists. Demure, alluring and unforgettable, just like Audrey herself. Sleeveless ballerina-length party dress with scooping front and rear neckline, spaghetti straps and 4” taffeta cummerbund waist; decorative self bows at joinery of bodice and straps, and light gathering under bust at top of cummerbund. Crêpe underskirt covered by four 60” vertical panels of taffeta folded at hemline to create four massive car wash “loops.” Gathered waist seam; left side zipper closure. Unlined. fabric: poly crêpe, poly taffeta noteworthy: dry clean only alterations: replaced zipper condition: very good with a handful of pinprick holes in crêpe underskirt (invisible due to taffeta overskirt) and taffeta overskirt at bottom folds measurements: neckline opening: 10 ½” across neckline drop: 7” (front), 9 ½” (back) straps: ¼” wide x 8” long bust: 36” max underbust / ribcage: 28” waist: 25” bodice length: 16 ½” from shoulder, 8 ¼” from underarm hips: free skirt length: 28” (crêpe underskirt), 30” (taffeta overskirt) total length: 46 ½” from shoulder; 38 ¼” from underarm sweep: 92” (crêpe underskirt), free (taffeta overskirt) label: no label present size: no size tag present; comparable to modern size extra small
  • Dimensions:
    Marked Size: none; comparable to size XS (US)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 46.5 in (118.11 cm)
  • Style:
    Ballerina (In the Style Of)
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Material Notes:
    Four five-foot wide car wash loops create unique overskirt.
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. A handful of pinprick holes in crêpe underskirt (invisible due to taffeta overskirt) and taffeta overskirt at bottom folds.
  • Seller Location:
    Tucson, AZ
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 0811.09.2171stDibs: LU86433665943
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