vintage 1950s Ceil Chapman cocktail dress silk satin ballet neck XS - S
Stunning black silk satin Ceil Chapman cocktail dress, circa early 1950s vintage.
Ballet neck.
Raglan sleeves are long and lean, with four domed buttons and loops at the undersides of the wrists.
Seamed bodice with cleverly pleated slash pockets at an angle along the upper hips.
Skirt shape is straight and falls to about lower knees; there is a back bustle detail with pleating from the buttocks to the hem- lined in stiff fabric.
Covered zip up the back center; metal Conmar zipper.
Thick silk satin outer faced in acetate prior to construction.
Black "Ceil Chapman" label with silver cursive lettering at back right.
Condition is very good overall, with the following issues:
The bodice had three narrow darts on each front side- looks like the outermost darts were opened up at some point- a careful job was done, but it is visible upon close inspection.
The same was done to the outer back bodice seams.
Some slight pulling and straining to the remaining darts and top corners of the pockets.
At time of purchase, both dress and bustle detail were taken up about 4" in length; many of the pieces from this estate were as well- original owner was quite petite- while not an issue, it is worth noting that this could be let down up to 4" with adequate room for a hem. Dress would have more of an A- lined skirt if let down.
Exceedingly clean and very well preserved- an absolute stunner!
Measurements:
37" chest (18.5" armpit to armpit)
28" waist
approximately 38" hips
41" hem circumference
43" overall length
27" sleeves (from ballet neck to sleeve ends)
21.5" sleeve inseams
Ballet neck.
Raglan sleeves are long and lean, with four domed buttons and loops at the undersides of the wrists.
Seamed bodice with cleverly pleated slash pockets at an angle along the upper hips.
Skirt shape is straight and falls to about lower knees; there is a back bustle detail with pleating from the buttocks to the hem- lined in stiff fabric.
Covered zip up the back center; metal Conmar zipper.
Thick silk satin outer faced in acetate prior to construction.
Black "Ceil Chapman" label with silver cursive lettering at back right.
Condition is very good overall, with the following issues:
The bodice had three narrow darts on each front side- looks like the outermost darts were opened up at some point- a careful job was done, but it is visible upon close inspection.
The same was done to the outer back bodice seams.
Some slight pulling and straining to the remaining darts and top corners of the pockets.
At time of purchase, both dress and bustle detail were taken up about 4" in length; many of the pieces from this estate were as well- original owner was quite petite- while not an issue, it is worth noting that this could be let down up to 4" with adequate room for a hem. Dress would have more of an A- lined skirt if let down.
Exceedingly clean and very well preserved- an absolute stunner!
Measurements:
37" chest (18.5" armpit to armpit)
28" waist
approximately 38" hips
41" hem circumference
43" overall length
27" sleeves (from ballet neck to sleeve ends)
21.5" sleeve inseams
