Item Tag: 35 1/2"

Classic vintage floor-length sheath-style gown. Sleeveless. Princess seams shape the bodice. A covered back, high neckline, and bra keepers keep things tidy and modest. Gentle yoke top. Metal back zip and three fabric-covered buttons at the top back. 12 1/2″ slit on the left for ease in walking, and is weighted on each of the open panel ends. On-seam pockets at the hip. The color is overall golden orange, with some flashes of yellow. The floral brocade in the photos may look white, but it is best described as light orange iridescence. The overall iridescence makes it a bit difficult to photograph – the flash turns a few areas white. PLEASE allow for differences in the color display on different computer monitors. I try to describe as accurately as I can, but such are my photography skills. The content of the brocade fabric not identified. My guess is that this is a custom gown, and it was not common to have a fabric or size label at high-end shops in those days. My guess is a high quality acetate or silk blend brocade, but I cannot be certain. Fully lined in what feels like silk. Given the prestige of this department store, it probably is. Condition: excellent vintage condition. No stains, tears, pulls, weird smells, etc. It has been carefully stored in a smoke-free, pet-free home. I retired not too long ago, and am doing a good Kondo-cleanout of items that no longer fit me, my lifestyle, or the post-COVID world. Brand: Co-branded Townley and Bonwit Teller. Bonwit Teller was a storied carriage trade department store in New York City, sadly now part of sophisticated fashion history. Size on the label: None. Again, this may have been a custom order, as sometimes happened at Bonwit’s back in the day. This dress fits on the small side – I am usually a USA size 4-6, and it fits snugly. Please see exact measurements below for best fit guide. Fabric: Unfortunately, no fabric label, but my best guess is a high quality acetate or silk blend shell. I am pretty certain the lining is silk. Dry clean. MEASUREMENTS: these are the measurements of the actual garment, measured with the garment laying flat, i.e. double for bust, waist, hips, sweep. It is best to compare to a garment that fits you well of a similar fabric and style. Shoulders at the top, end-to-end: 15 1/2″ Bust, armpit-to-armpit: 17 1/2″, and maybe a bit more with princess seaming Bodice, center-top of shoulder to waist seam: 15 1/2″ Waist: 13 1/2″ Hips, measured straight across, about 8″ down from the waist seam: 18″ Waist seam to hem: 35″ Overall length: center-top of shoulder to hem: 50 1/2″ Sweep: 19 1/2″ TERMS: please ask any questions in advance of purchase as I DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS. I try very hard to give an accurate description of the item the first time. TERMS: PAYPAL ONLY, PLEASE. USA buyers only, please, unless you can use eBay’s international buying/shipping program (I ship to eBay, and they handle the overseas paperwork and hassle. Not all countries are eligible.). Any international taxes, customs, additional shipping charges outside the USA, etc. are the responsibility of the buyer. I ship USPS with delivery confirmation within 48 hours of receiving payment, often sooner. To note: I now separate out the shipping charges from the cost of the item (I used to build it into the selling price.) The IRS drastically lowered the amount that can be earned from third-party platforms (like eBay, Craig’s List, etsy, etc.) that is excused from paying income tax. I want the IRS to clearly know how much I actually earn from selling our old stuff (that I already paid sales tax on!!) vs. what I immediately pay to USPS for shipping. My charge to the seller is often less than my actual shipping costs. After many complaints, the IRS postponed the reg for 2023, but we’ll see what happens in 2024 and beyond. Thanks for looking!