Description
A party dress worthy of a goth princess, this black cotton 80s Laura Ashley semi-formal frock has short, puffed sleeves and an amazing double-peplum or bustle-style back! The scoop neck, fitted bodice comes to a point at the center front and back waist seams, above the full skirt. The shoulders have small gathers to create the big, puffy sleeves. From the back, this apparently simple dress is showstopper, with a double-layered, pleated peplum, similar to the Victorian-inspired back bustle skirt style that was popular in the late 1940s. The dress fastens with functional, fabric-covered buttons below the back V-neckline, and a side seam nylon zipper. The dress is shown here with a large and fluffy crinoline underneath, which is not included. It is very good, near excellent condition; the only issue to note is a bit of wear to the fabric at the edge of the top button (see close-up photo). This dress was mine from high school in the late 1980s, and I know for a fact that it was only worn twice. Other than the button edge, it appears just as it did when I purchased it for a formal dance, bless my little goth girl heart! Although the care label states that it can be hand-washed, I only ever had it dry-cleaned, to preserve the cotton’s inky black color. All-black Laura Ashley cotton dresses were not that common, but I managed to find one. Channel your favorite witch, from Agatha to Elphaba, in this lovely 80s tea-length party dress!
Size: XS.
- Bust: 32 inches flat with a bit of cup room, to fit up to 32B
- Ribcage: 28 inches flat, to fit up to 27.
- Waist: 26.5 inches flat, to fit up to 25 or 26 max.
- Hip: very full.
- Length: 47 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist: 7 inches (slightly petite).
- Waist to hem length: 32 inches.
- Sleeve length: 12 inches
- Sleeve opening at bicep: 9.5 inches flat, around.
- Shoulder to shoulder: 13 inches.
- Label: Laura Ashley, Made in Great Britain
