Featured I'm a guy but I had to buy this beautiful vintage(?) Lillie Rubin Silk & Sequins Dress - any info?

Discussion in 'Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing' started by journeymagazine, Apr 5, 2021.

  1. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    I don't usually buy clothes when I'm searching through thrift stores unless it's a cool t-shirt, etc..but when I saw this coming out I took it right off the wheeled rack the lady was pushing towards the clothing section!

    I know the name (I think my mom had some of her clothing) and when I saw that it's 100% silk with sequins I thought I'd scored. But then I saw the tag also says 'Made in China'?

    What era is this from? Is it vintage or new?
    What kind of dress is it? Should I list it as a cocktail dress? (it looks like something my hippie girlfriend (I was a hippie too!) would wear in the 70's when we were teenagers!)

    Any information would be appreciated.
    Thank you

    CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS 1A_EAAA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS 1A_HAAA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS 1A_GAAA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS 1AAA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS 2AA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS 3AA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS 4AA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS SAAA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS SBAA.JPG CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS SCAA.JPG
     
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  2. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    I like how the sequins wrap around 1 side of the dress (for got to add that above!) - also here is close up of top; it seems pleated?
    CLOTHES DRESS SILK AND SEQUINS SAA.JPG
     
  3. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Fairly modern but gorgeous! Love the watercolor tie-dye effect.
    Internet says all the Lillie Rubin stores were closed in 2006 or converted to Cache.
     
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  4. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    I use to shop in the Cache stores near me. They were small boutiques and sort of high end. From what I recall the quality of clothes was pretty nice.

    I still have a dress here that I bought for my Father's birthday surprise party and wore just once from Cache. Haven't thought about that in years.
     
    judy likes this.
  5. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Lillie Rubin was a chain of high end women's clothing stores that closed in 1999. Given the Made in China label, I'd think the 1990s when the market was first flooded with Chinese imports. I'd call it a cocktail dress. Let's see what others think.

    Debora
     
  6. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Thanks - I was sure I remember one of their stores that my mom went to in Miami Beach back in the 70's; maybe a close but different name.
    1990's so I can say "Vintage Lille Rubin Tie Dye Silk & Hand Sewn Sequins Cocktail Dress" - right?
     
  7. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Don't see the value of "hand sewn." Whadabout the idea of "tiered?" And "beaded" instead of "sequins?" Needs "long" as cocktail usually means short. And maybe "evening" instead of "cocktail"? If it were mine, I'd probably do something like...

    "Vintage LILLIE RUBIN Tie Die Floral BEADED SILK Long TIERED EVENING DRESS"

    Let's see what ideas others have. Not sure the above does it justice.

    Debora
     
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  8. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

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  9. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    I like Debora's title and would go with something along those lines.

    The only thing I'd be sure to add is "size 12" to the title. It helps if shoppers can see the size in the title.
     
    pearlsnblume likes this.
  10. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    But put measurements in the description, women's sizing being as weird as it is. It's nonstandardized, one reason I have three different sizes of clothes in my closet. If not more.
     
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  11. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Duh! Thank you so much, Lucille.b. The size, of course, needs to be included in title. Although important to include complete measurements in description. Other key words could be "fully lined," "ruffle," "v-neck front," "deeper v-back," "asymmetric hem," "hidden back zipper," "bodice with random beading," and "beaded floral motif that wraps from front to back."

    Debora
     
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  12. Northern Lights Lodge

    Northern Lights Lodge Well-Known Member

    @bluumz @journeymagazine -

    Pretty dress!

    You are completely right on! I worked at a Bridal Salon those years and we had scores of those similar style dresses come through. They were pretty, but what tricky stuff to alter or repair! DON'T get it wet! It will leave spots!

    Most of the beads are "barely" attached. They usually only have a double pass through the first and last bead in the strand of sewn beads (rarely have a knot)... if there are loose ends, the beads get knocked off quickly. Easy enough to repair if caught quickly.

    The term for the hem is "high-low"... and usually these were sold (in our area) as prom dresses.

    The skirt is bias cut; so it seems a bit stretchy; but it doesn't hang right on someone who is a real "hippy" 12.

    If the top "isn't" stretchy; along with stating that the tag says it is a 12. I would take a side seam to side seam measurement at the back from under arm to under arm and state what that measurement is... and do the same thing from side seam to side seam at the waist at the back and also state that measurement... ie:
    Measurement from side seam to side seam - back at under arm is:
    Measurement from side seam to side seam - back at waist is:

    I would do the same thing if there is a non stretchy lining - at the hip measurement which is typically 8" below the waist line:
    Measurement from side seam to side seam - back at hip (8" below waist) is:
    If that fabric is stretchy; don't bother.

    Good luck!
    Cheerio Leslie
     
  13. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Wonderful information, Leslie! Thank you so much for adding to my feeble efforts.

    Debora
     
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  14. Northern Lights Lodge

    Northern Lights Lodge Well-Known Member

    @journeymagazine Wonderful information, Leslie! Thank you so much for adding to my feeble efforts.

    My pleasure... please feel free to ask any other questions you may have! Leslie
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2021
  15. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Thank you all; great information (especially since a guy can understand it!)
     
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  16. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Late 90s indeed and fab. Had stuff like that.

    I used to shop in the Cache store in the Glendale Galleria. Lovely clothes, still got some.

    Cruise wear is a term.
     
    pearlsnblume likes this.
  17. Sylvia Finke

    Sylvia Finke New Member

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