Treacy Lowe pieces are always a favorite to find. Kathy Lowe Howden launched the label in partnership with her husband in 1971 and quickly became known for her maxi dresses and prints. She did the most amazing caftans and dresses that really reflect the time period. She was a designer that designed her around the fabric she chose and many were custom done just for her. The vast majority of her fabrics were made to her specification in India. So when you find one of her pieces they are not just special because they are vintage, but also because of the small runs of fabric that she used. Just seeing and feeling these hand made fabric from this time period is a special treat.

This caftan dress is gorgeous. The cut is loose and easy and it is incredibly easy to wear. It is made out of a soft cotton that has was made and printed in India. The design is beautiful. Little rows of flowers run vertically down the fabric. The print combines two widths, a thinner one that is white based and a second wider one that has a soft blue base. If you look carefully at the photos you will see that for the bodice the the thinner strips have been carefully pieced together and then they are set so that the open out into the wide blue strips. This opening up of the fabric is what give the skirt its fullness. It has a low notched neckline that has a sweet little tie about half way up. Running across the top of each shoulder is a row of hand made tassels that pull from the colors in the print. Each tassel is suspended from the shoulder and finished with a matching colored bead. The sleeves are full and wide. It is meant to be worn without a belt but you could easily cinch in the waist with a modern belt if you wanted to add more shape. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slip on to wear. 100% cotton. The easy, loose cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. Pockets along each hip

Sleeves: 14"
Shoulders: slightly dropped and 16"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 60" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# SS3533

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This dress is one of the prettiest Oscar de la Renta pieces I have had in the shop. It is a bit unusual in that it is made from a light cotton fabric instead of one of his usual silks or heavier fabrics. The fabric choice gives it a light and easy feel and adds to the sweetness that the dress has. There are yards and yards of a the cotton used to make up all the tiers and ruffles. The bodice is cut into a V at the front and this same V is done at the back as well. A ruffled panel sits on each shoulder to softly fall and flutter over the very top of the arm. It then follows the edge of the neck line at the back and the front. The waist is cinched in and the original matching fabric sash that comes with the dress can be wrapped and tied around it to add more definition. The skirt fall to the floor from under there and it is amazing. It is made with four full tiers of fabric that are attached to the inner skirt. Each tier gets fuller as they near the hem. When you move it has beautiful movement with you. The fabric itself is the perfect finishing detail. It is a soft red with a tiny white and green floral print scattered over the entire surface. I love it. Excellent condition.

The dress is lined in the same fabric through the bodice. The base skirt acts as the lining under the tiers. It closes with a side painted nylon and metal zipper. Original fabric sash belt. The zipper can stick a tiny bit at the waist

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11" from shoulder to top of band at waist and the band is 4" wide
Skirt: 44" from bottom of band at waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3534

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I love the bohemian feeling print of this dress. That, combined with the beautifully printed silk make for a stunning piece. It is constructed from a beautiful, light weight silk that has just enough structure to hold the shape that you see but still allow it to feel almost weightless once on. The bodice is cut to skim over the bust and the neckline is finished with an elastic so that you can wear it wide and off the shoulder as I have shown here. The versatility of the elastic will also let you wear the sleeves higher up on the shoulders. The sleeves are unlined so that they are very light. They are cut to be full and wide so that they billow out to just past the elbow. The skirt flows to the floor and gently widens out as it nears the hem. Set just under the waist seam is a series of elaborate pleats that gradually open to add volume to the skirt. I love the mix of colors used on the dress. That bright pop of green at the hem is fantastic and I love how it is picked up again with the sash that cinches in the waist. The dress has a fantastic romantic, pretty and light feel and the bareness of the shoulders gives it a bit of a sexy touch. Excellent condition.

The bodice and skirt are fully lined in a nude silky rayon and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Elastic runs through the neckline that gives is a slight give. Each cuff has elastic and and the opening are set to be wide and full. Original matching sash belt. Hand finishes throughout.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: no defined seam, the neckline is open to approx 17" across
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15-16" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2912

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.