Vintage 1950s Ceil Chapman Dress Silver Taupe Silk Size M

This is a beautiful quality 1950s Ceil Chapman dress - Chapman was Marilyn Monroe’s purported favourite designer.  This Ceil Chapman dress features an off-the-shoulder style with draping across the bodice and is beautifully gathered at the left side of the lower skirt. It has a wide squared neckline at the front and a scoop at the back.  The short length sleeves are cuffed. The waistline is defined and the skirt of the dress flares out and then tapers in to a lower calf length. It does up the back with a metal zipper and has Pellon fabric stiffener on the interior of the skirt.  This Ceil Chapman dress does up the back with a metal zipper and is lined in pellon with a built-in nylon slip and supporting tulle.

Label: This Ceil Chapman dress has its label sewn into the interior top back. Ceil Chapman was an American designer, first in partnership with Gloria Vanderbilt, and then on her own with her husband as a partner, starting in 1940. She was noted as a favourite of movie stars as well as the public. Marilyn Monroe owned a number of Chapman dresses, and others, such as Deborah Kerr, Elizabeth Taylor and Mamie Van Doren wore her designs to important events. She specialized in cocktail and formal gowns and was known for her use of draping and fine fabrics.

Fabric: Fine quality silk. 

Sizing:  No size is indicated, but this Ceil Chapman dress should fit a medium size - please rely on the following exterior measurements for fit, taking the style of this Ceil Chapman dress into account (compare measurements with a similar dress that you presently own or to your own body measurements, taking the cut of the garment into account):

Bust: 36” around

Waist: 27” around

Hips: 36”-38” around

Bottom circumference: 82” around

Length to Waist: 16”

Overall Length: 44”

Condition: This Ceil Chapman dress is in very good condition with the exception of two small dark linear marks to the front (see 3rd to last close-up photo) as well as two small light stains to the lower back (see 2nd to last close-up photo).  In addition, the pellon is disintegrating (see last close-up photo) - pellon was used as a stiffener, but being paper based, it often disintegrates.  Also, dry cleaners will not accept a garment lined in pellon.  Otherwise, this Ceil Chapman dress is clean and looks to have seen little use and was well stored over the years - a proper pressing will improve the appearance of the dress.

This is a gorgeous 1950s Ceil Chapman dress, classic Hollywood style - sure to make an impression!