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Sometimes the winners of the giveaways I’ve sponsored have been people I know. Laura is a freshman in college studying nursing and we became friends through our work. One day we were all standing around talking about the Titanic and wondering whether we each might have had the courage to save other people when that ship went down. Laura’s answer shamed the rest of us. So confident was she of her final destination that the prospect of dying to save someone’s life presented no particular moral dilemma for her. That’s the kind of character she has. She’s a “wow” friend and I miss seeing her.

She first wore this dress at a vintage fashion show for little girls. After seeing her in it, I couldn’t imagine anyone else wearing it, so rather than winning it in a draw, Laura received this 1950s dress by natural selection.

Here’s the second installment in the Black Beauty Giveaway, a 1966 Cocktail Dress. My last installment in the series will come tomorrow, so stay tuned. It’s time to move these babies from my closet into yours.

How to enter the giveaway

Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t already or suggest it to a friend by sharing a recent post via social media. All that helps me continue this work and I’m greatly appreciative for your help! Please read the full description to make sure the dimensions work for you. Then add a comment explaining which one interests you. I’ll draw the winners on Wednesday, October 17. I can’t help thinking of certain people I know who would look great in these vintage pieces.

1966 Black Dupioni Silk Cocktail Dress

“Real happiness proved harder to attain than Diana…”

Condition: Excellent

Overall size: Small to medium

Bust 36

Waist: 32 (or open)

Hip 40 (or open)

Length 42

Shoulder to shoulder width (edge to edge) 16

Description

This sleeveless Dupioni silk dress has a dropped waist that falls just at the hip. A spectacular double bow brings attention to the waistline and two front princess seams draw the eye upward toward a wide, plain collar.

A back metal zipper is concealed by five decorative buttons, incorporated for adornment—not function! A snap at the back neckline and a hook-and-eye closure at the waist securely fastens the fabric over the top of the zipper. Great details like snaps to hold lingerie straps in place.

According to the Vintage Fashion Guild’s label guide, DePinna was founded in 1885 primarily a men’s shop located on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. They also sold finely tailored menswear-inspired clothing for women.  In the early 1950s, De Pinna was bought by a Washington, DC store, Julius Garfinckle & Co. At that time, Garfinckle’s expanded their ladies’ wear offerings. The stores closed in 1969. Using that dateline, similar DePinna labels from the 1960s, and resources on trends of the day, our 1966 guesstimate should be right on!

Label: DePinna

What are your plans for this dress?

Life is short. Wear the good stuff.