1950s French Couture Blue Linen Shift Dress with Faux Coral Adornments
A beautifully made early 1960s French couture shift dress that has sadly lost its labels. Crafted from linen in a blue-denim hue, it is cut to a sleeveless shift-dress silhouette with a flattering rounded, wide neckline. The fabric is gathered at the front of the waist and is christened here with a bow in matching fabric. The dress is adorned with spectacular embellishment in the form of pieces of white faux coral and pretty beads which form flower-like formations around the neckline at the front and back. These pieces of coral fall gently down the front and back of the dress. The dress fastens with a hidden zip at the rear. It is lined with navy blue silk - another example of the high level of attention to detail that this dress was made with.
This dress is in truly excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note and looks barely worn - remarkable for its age. Unlabelled so please double-check our measurements below as the fabric has no stretch. We think it suitable for sizes up to a UK 10-12 or US 6-8.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 40 in. (102 cm)
WAIST - 32 in. (81 cm)
HIP - 41 in. (104 cm)
LENGTH - 39 in. (99 cm)
Pickup available at CIRCA VINTAGE
Usually ready in 24 hours
F.A.Q.
Will you set anything aside for me before I come?
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 with me?
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?
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?
Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I get alterations?
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.
Do you 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.
Can I cancel my appointment?
You are free to cancel but please do give us as much notice as possible.
Where's the showroom?
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.
Do you have parking?
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 there by public transport?
Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
Nine Elms (9 min walk) – Northern Line
Overground:
Wandsworth Road (13 min walk) – Westbound to Clapham Junction / Eastbound to Dalston Junction
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, credit/debit card, bank transfer, contactless, Paypal
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.