Vintage Black Silk Chiffon Dress with Black and Blue Beading

This vintage dress is a black silk chiffon garment from the 1920s, featuring extensive blue and black hand-beading in floral and geometric patterns.

The hemline appears to fall to about calf-length and is a loose tunic style which was the style of the era.

The main fabric is a sheer black silk chiffon, a common choice for evening wear during this era. Underneath the chiffon is a black silk sheath, both sewn together. The under sheath has small snaps on one side amd on the top of the same side.


The dress is heavily embellished with glass seed beads and bugle beads in black and iridescent blue.

The upper portion features complex geometric and lattice-like beading.

The lower portion includes large, stylized floral motifs outlined in blue beads with black bead accents.

Construction Details: The garment features a pleated or gathered section down the center front, adding texture and drape. It has an unstructured, almost tabard-like overlay design with short, flowing cap sleeves. There is a loose tie on one side of the dress.

CONDITION: The dress has been gone over carefully and loose beads were tightened. As it is a very busy pattern, it appears a majority of the beads are all present except for possibly one or two areas. The dress presents perfectly. There are no tears but maybe a few tiny moth holes on the underskirt. I see two areas where the underskirt fabric is thin and shows a lot of light but no torn. Those couple areas are less than half an inch long. I am rating it as in VERY GOOD CONDITION.

As it is over 100 years old, the threads can weaken so good to check as often as possible for any loosening.

MEASUREMENTS:

Shoulders: 16”
Bust: 20” x 2
Waist: 21” x 2
Hips: 25”
length: 50”