This romantic summer dress was made by Boutique Andrée in Lyon, France, during the 1970s and is made to couture standards. Over the years, we have had several pieces from Lyon boutiques who bought the haute couture licences from Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and others during this period; its very possible this is one such piece.

Tailored from floaty sheer silk chiffon, it is printed with florals in pastel hues of green, blue, lilac, pink and coral. It has a rounded neckline which is lined with a thicker cloth so that it is no longer see-through and it holds its shape. It fastens at the front with two rounded fabric-covered buttons above a keyhole neckline. The dress is sheer and falls to the bottom of the calf, broken up by a gathered, elasticated waist. The dress has long, floaty bell-sleeves tailored from the same sheer fabric. The cuffs are elongated and lined, therefore they are stiff and hold their shape. They fasten with four fabric-covered buttons and fabric loops.

The dress is unlined and is likely to have had a slip which has separated from the dress with the passage of time. It would lend itself very well to modern nude undergarments or a vintage silk pink slip from your own collection. We also have a large lingerie collection in the Circa showroom. Superbly made, the dress is in very good vintage condition save for a very small hole on the yoked collar. It was difficult to spot and we only noticed when the dress was in hand. The fabric has no stretch and is suitable for sizes up to a UK 10 or US 6.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 42 in. (107 cm)

WAIST STRETCHED - 40 in. (102 cm)

WAIST UNSTRETCHED - 27 in. (69 cm)

HIP - 60 in. (152 cm)

LENGTH - 44 in. (112 cm)