Description
This is a dramatic vintage Bill Blass dress with a black tulle full skirt and a fitted bustier style bodice that is covered in black sequins up to the white cotton bra cups. This ethereal evening dress is so much prettier in person!
This dress was made by Mr. Blass for a private, high profile client in 1991. Christie's recently auctioned off the original sketch of the dress and we are including a screenshot in the images here to show you what it looked like!
The skirt has heavy pleating, creating the illusion of double layers. There are small triangles on the tulle that appear as polka dots from a distance, and the dress closes with a metal zipper down center back seam with a hook and eye.The white ribbed cotton bustier has metal underwire, "boning", and is lined.
We estimate this lovely dress to fit a modern day US size 6, but please use the measurements as a guide for the best fit! A repair was made on one of the layers of tulle near the bottom.
We love Bill Blass - he was an extremely influential and important American designer. In 1973, he was one of the US designers chosen to present a collection at Versailles, (known as the "battle of Versailles") which put American designers on equal terms with French couturiers. Over the years, Blass won three Coty Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award and Humanitarian Leadership Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of American.
BUST: 36"
WAIST: 26"
HIPS: free
LENGTH FROM NECKLINE TO WAIST: 11"
LENGTH FROM WAIST TO HEM: 38"
LENGTH: 44"
CUP LENGTH: 8"
CUP HEIGHT: 5"
In order to best determine fit, measure yourself or a garment of a similar style that fits you well. Compare those measurements to those on the item description.
All of our pieces have been professionally cleaned and arrive ready to wear.
Measuring & Fit Guide
We offer a large selection of designers and manufacturers that span the 20th and early 21st century. Sizing varies greatly, so we have outlined our measuring and size estimating process.
The best way to know if a vintage item will fit you is to take a garment that fits you well, similar to the one you are interested in purchasing, and measure it the way we measure ours.
We lay all garments flat and measure as follows*:
| DRESSES | PANTS | |
|
BUST - under arm to under arm across the front and then double that measurement. |
Measure the WAISTBAND, widest part of the HIPS, widest part of the THIGH on one leg and width of the CUFF, then double those measurements |
|
|
WAIST - find the smallest part of the garment if there isn't an obvious seam for the waist and measure across and then double that measurement. |
LENGTH - Measure from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the cuff along the side seam. | |
| HIPS - Find the largest part of the hip area and measure flat, then double that measurement. | RISE - Measure from the crotch to the top of the waistband. | |
| LENGTH - from the nape of the neck or the top of the shoulders, depending on the style of garment. We will measure to the waist when applicable, so that you can determine if it will fit your torso, and then a waist down measurement. | INSEAM - Measure from the crotch to the bottom of the cuff along the inside seam. | |
|
SLEEVES - measure from the top of the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve. When we think that the arm opening is particularly small, we will provide that measurement as well.** |
*Fabrics with stretch will have some give, we will try to mention the range of measurements that will fit comfortably.
**With dolman sleeves, the size is an estimation based on the waist as the body seamlessly joins the sleeve. 
Feel free to email us with specific questions about specific measurements that we may not have included that you need to know in order to feel confident about your purchase. If you have a particularly long torso, short legs, long arms, etc.. we can help you determine whether or not a garment will work for your body.
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Measurements, not size. View our Measuring Guide
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Description
This is a dramatic vintage Bill Blass dress with a black tulle full skirt and a fitted bustier style bodice that is covered in black sequins up to the white cotton bra cups. This ethereal evening dress is so much prettier in person!
This dress was made by Mr. Blass for a private, high profile client in 1991. Christie's recently auctioned off the original sketch of the dress and we are including a screenshot in the images here to show you what it looked like!
The skirt has heavy pleating, creating the illusion of double layers. There are small triangles on the tulle that appear as polka dots from a distance, and the dress closes with a metal zipper down center back seam with a hook and eye.The white ribbed cotton bustier has metal underwire, "boning", and is lined.
We estimate this lovely dress to fit a modern day US size 6, but please use the measurements as a guide for the best fit! A repair was made on one of the layers of tulle near the bottom.
We love Bill Blass - he was an extremely influential and important American designer. In 1973, he was one of the US designers chosen to present a collection at Versailles, (known as the "battle of Versailles") which put American designers on equal terms with French couturiers. Over the years, Blass won three Coty Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award and Humanitarian Leadership Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of American.
BUST: 36"
WAIST: 26"
HIPS: free
LENGTH FROM NECKLINE TO WAIST: 11"
LENGTH FROM WAIST TO HEM: 38"
LENGTH: 44"
CUP LENGTH: 8"
CUP HEIGHT: 5"
In order to best determine fit, measure yourself or a garment of a similar style that fits you well. Compare those measurements to those on the item description.
Complete the look
Vintage Jewelry Makes the Perfect Finishing Touch
Complete the look
Vintage belts tie it all together