ARCHIVE - 1930s Blue Lace Maxi Dress and Jacket
This romantic 1930s pale blue 'cobweb lace' dress and jacket ensemble is tailored to ankle-length, the sleeveless dress is cut to a column silhouette. The dress has a rounded V-neckline and the skirt element has an inverted low-slung peplum which adds a layer of delicate lace ruffles. The dress does not have any lining or an accompanying slip and, as such, is see-through. The jacket is very ethereal in style; it has a nipped-in waist with a tie front and a flared silhouette. The sleeves are cropped to the elbow, and have a fluted, scalloped hem which is raw finished. The ensemble comes with a coordinating fabric belt which fastens at the front with a decadent, art deco-inspired buckle made from silver-toned metal with the illusion of rhinestones.
It is rare to have a matching ensemble with all three lace components still together after 90 years. She displays beautifully and is in wearable, very good antique condition. She has undergone expert in-house cleaning and small invisible repairs where needed to reinforce the lace. There are some age related copper-coloured marks along the front of the jacket which we have not been able to treat but unless you are looking very intently, these are very hard to spot. Some very light discolouration is evident on the back of the neck area, again hard to spot and would in any case, be hidden under the jacket. Lastly, a tiny bit of discolouration under the arms - very minor. It would have had a matching slip but this has been lost to the passage of time. It does look good paired with modern nude and pale hued slips or bare if you dare! There are no labels remaining and the fabric has no stretch. It will fit up to a US 4 or UK 8 with a little wiggle room if needed for in between sizes.
MEASUREMENTS DRESS
BUST - 34 in. (86 cm)
WAIST - 36 in. (91 cm)
HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)
LENGTH - 57 in. (145 cm)
MEASUREMENTS JACKET
BUST - 36 in. (91 cm)
WAIST - 28 in. (71 cm)
LENGTH - 22 in. (56 cm)
SHOULDERS - 16 in. (41 cm)
Pickup currently unavailable at CIRCA VINTAGE
F.A.Q.
Where can I find more information about this item?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any item on our site. Please get in touch at shop@circavintage.com or on +44 (0)20 7365053.
Will you set anything aside for me for my appointment?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
Do you have a price range at the showroom?
Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
Can I bring anyone with me to my appointment?
Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I have my circa garment altered?
We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
Does Circa have an after-care service?
We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
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Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
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We offer free, secure, off-street parking but it is a tight squeeze – so do let us know in advance if you will be needing this and we can make sure that there is space available.
How do I get to the Circa showroom by public transport?
Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
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What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.