Description
The designer Diane Freis is best known for creating feminine, boho style dresses in gorgeous, colorful print fabrics, beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Many of these lovely creations are made of lightweight polyester georgette, but this unusual, circa early 80s beauty is made of pale gold floral print and polka dot polyester lamé, with a bit more body to the fabric due to the metallic fibers. The blouson bodice in a floral op-art print has graduated polka dot print trim at the top edge of the collar. This pleated and ruffled, wide collar has elastic at the top—to wear on or off the shoulder, as shown. The long ties with tassels and beads at the front of the collar are purely decorative. The extra-wide waistband is made of a graduated polka dot print fabric that reminds me of the phases of the moon! This waist panel has elastic shirring used to gather it into a puckered texture. It falls from around the natural waist at its top edge, to about the high hip. Below, the flaring, trumpet-style skirt further showcases Freis’s penchant for pattern-mixing, using both the op-art floral and the polka dot patterned fabrics. Pleated, triangular panels of the polka dot print are inset at the skirt hem. The puffed, elbow-length sleeves have elastic at the cuffs. The dress pulls on, with no zipper or other fastenings. The lightweight poly lamé fabric is semi-sheer and unlined, except at the gathered waist panel. The metallic fibers in the fabric make it a bit scratchy, so if you are very sensitive to this, it may not be the dress for you. This fabulous Diane Freis print party dress from the late 1970s or early 80s is in very good, near excellent condition, with just a bit of loss of stretchiness to the elastic stitching that gathers the waist panel. Fit for a disco diva, it will shine on the dance floor!
Size: approx. M.
- Bust: 41 inches pulled flat. Best for approx. 39 or smaller, for loose fit.
- Waist (measured at top of waist panel): 22 inches flat, stretching up to 32.
- Hip: 46 inches pulled flat. Best (loose) fit for 42 or smaller.
- Length: 47 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist panel: 8 inches to the top edge and 13 inches to the bottom.
- Sleeve length: 14 inches.
- Shoulder to shoulder: approx. 14 inches (elastic).
- Label: Diane Freis Original, 100% polyester.
- The dress is labeled as dry clean only, but I carefully hand-washed it with no issues.
