I love finding Donald Brooks pieces, especially his main line label that he launched in 1964. He only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He had a secondary, boutique line that he started in 1971 that also closed in 1973. This dress is from his mainline and was most likely made during that 1971-1973 time frame. I did find a reference photo of the dress but it was dated as being 1978 which is not possible so we have the photo but not the exact date. 

Brooks pieces have a certain ease about them. This is partly due to his fabric choices and also in part because of his cutting and draping techniques. This dress is made from an easy to wear black jersey that has been finished with a scattering of rhinestones across its surface. I love this combination of the glittering crystals with the ease and simplicity of the fabric. The faceted glass crystals are hand placed on prong settings across the entire surface of the dress. It's an ingenious way to make for a very glamorous dress without taking away from the simplicity of the jersey. The stones are spaced out over the entire surface so that they catch the light from every angle. The dress is cut to skim over the bust, nip in with a seam at the waist and then the sleeves are left long and are cut to be full above the cuffs. A matching tie belt can be used to cinch the waist in for more shape. The neckline is cut wide for a touch of collar bone to show and both the back and front are scooped. The skirt falls to the floor and there are yards of fabric used in it so it has great movement once it is on. It is a striking dress and looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a metal and nylon zipper at the back. A hidden set hook & eye at each cuff. Matching fabric tie at the waist. The fabric has some stretch overall but the waist measurement is fixed with the seam.

Sleeves: 25" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from natural neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2926

Reference Photo: Donald Brooks Dress, date unknown

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

Donald Brooks pieces are always very well made and the pieces from his Boutique line have a real sense of ease and fun about them that I love. Brooks launched his main line label in 1964. He only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He had a secondary, boutique line that he started in 1971 that also closed in 1973. This set is from the boutique line which gives us that small time period from 1971-1973 for its date.

This is a super cute and fun cropped skirt and top set that has that perfect seventies feel to it. This set is especially cute with its bright and cheerful print on a white cotton base that really lets the colors pop. The top has extra wide sleeves that come out from the bodice so they kind of slouch with an easy feel once on. It has no closures down the front at all, instead it has ties that extend out from the cropped bottom and then you tie it into place. This cropped length gives you an expanse of bare skin between the bottom of the top and the skirt. The skirt is long and is cut more on the fuller side with a banded waist and buttons that run all the way down the front. I love that it has pockets on each hip. On both pieces that pop of the bright colors against the white is just amazing. Excellent overall condition with a minor note to review below

Both the top and skirt are unlined. The top ties at the front to close and the skirt buttons down the front. Pocket on each hip of the skirt. There are some small faint marks at the front of the skirt and along the waist as well as one on the top. All minor. Please review the photos after the shot of the label

Top
Bodice: no true side seams
Waist: adjustable with the tie front
Length: 16" from neck to hem and you can tie to adjust shorter if you wish

Skirt
Waist: 13" from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 40" from waist seam to hem with 3.5" turned up

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3480

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 finding Donald Brooks pieces, they are very well made and his Boutique pieces especially have a sense of fun and wit about them that I love. Brooks launched his main line label in 1964. He only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He had a secondary, boutique line that he started in 1971 that also closed in 1973. This dress is from the boutique line which gives us that small time period from 1971-1973 for its date.

A cropped skirt and top set really showcases what the early seventies flower power hippie movement was. This set is especially fun with its feeling that it could be fully reversible between the red bandana waffle weave cotton print on the exterior and that contrasting black and white dot print inside. The way the zipper and hooks are set make so that it is only wearable the way that you see it, but, it is finished well enough inside that if the fastening were done a different way it could be worn inside out. Which is a testament to the quality of the outfit. The top is a simple bikini halter type top and it is cut to be fitted to the bust with a hook at the back and ties at the back. Its short length shows off a taut, tanned stomach. The skirt is long and sleek feeling with a decorative tie at the front waist that exactly mirrors the tie at the back of the neck on the halter. I love the two super high slits at the front that allow almost the full leg to show when you move. On both pieces that pop of the black and white dot against the red floral print is just amazing. Excellent condition

Both the top and skirt are lined in the dotted cotton that you see. The top closes with a hook at the back and ties at the back neck. The pants zippers to close with flat hook & eye at the waist.

Top
Cups: should fit a B-C cut
Bottom strap: 15" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 13" from neck to bottom strap and you can tie to adjust

Skirt
Waist: 14.5" from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40" from waist seam to hem
Slits: 27" from hem up

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3464

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

Donald Brooks launched his self-named label in 1964 and only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. During that time he did two lingerie collaborations, one with Sinclair and one with Maidenform. The pieces for Sinclair were slightly less 'lingerie' and more hostess and at home wear. This is a wonderful dress from that collaboration.

This was originally meant to be worn only at home but is just thick enough that you could definitely wear it out. It does have a touch of transparency to it but just a touch. The fabric is a nylon jersey that you can easily wash and it will travel exceptionally well. It is cut on the bias so once you slip it on it just drapes over the body. It is not meant to be super form fitting which makes it very easy to wear and very flattering on. It has that perfect one shoulder cut and the edge of the neckline is finished with a band done in a contrasting black and white print. The entire body of the dress has the print set on a angle with helps to give the wearer the illusion of more height. A very high slit up one leg belies it lingerie roots but makes for a very sexy dress for our modern world. Excellent condition

Unlined and zips to close up the side.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem, with 1.5" turned under the hem
Slit: 30.5" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3433

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 amazing and rare Donald Brooks Boutique set is an early example of the pieces he was doing for his main couture line. He launched his self-named label in 1964 and only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He also designed costumes and stage wear and that love of exuberance and high glamour was also seen in his own label and in pieces like this.

This set is incredible and is such a glamorous and distinctive design. The pants have an unusual harem cut to them and this will give them a slightly cropped feel to them depending on your height. Each leg ends in an elastic and this allows the pant leg to pouf over the inner elastic and gives it that wonderful harem feel. They are slim cut through the hips and the waist is set higher. Over this is the long tunic dress that is cut to skim over the bust. The waist is cinched in with a seam and there is the matching, original tie belt that allows you to add even more shape if needed. Below that the skirt falls past the knees so that when worn together the pants just peak out under. The longer length of the top gives you the extra versatility to wear it as a dress on its own and of course you can mix the pants up with other pieces from your wardrobe. I love the edging of big gold pailettes that dangle from the edges with little looped seed beads. These go all the way around each cuff, the neckline, and the  hem of the skirt. When you move they will move as well and create a fabulous added feel to the set. The fabric is a beautiful printed silk chiffon over an inner lining of silk and there are big gold dots created by gold metallic thread. The combination of the bright turquoise, the print and those metallic dots is killer. Excellent condition with a small note below

Both the top and skirt are lined in a bright matching turquoise silk. The tunic closes with a metal and nylon zipper at the back and hook & eye at the neck. Each cuff snaps to close. The pants zip and hook to close and have elastic at each hem. Note that there are a couple of the gold pailettes missing on each cuff. I have photoed them for you to review. One pant leg seems to fall slightly differently then the other I would have it adjusted to where they sit perfectly on you. Note that the back does close all the way - it was just small on my dress form

Tunic/dress
Sleeves: 27" with the pailettes adding another 2"
Shoulders: 15'
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from shoulder to hem
Skirt: 35" from waist to hem including the pailettes

Pants
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 42" from waist to hem
Inseam: approx 30"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3427

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 amazing and rare Donald Brooks Boutique set has the added provenance of its twin being photoed on Marisa Berenson for the May 1970 issue of Vogue. From my understanding the Boutique label was launched in 1971 and I wonder if this was an early forerunner for that label and perhaps Vogue was given the inside scoop on it. Or perhaps Brooks did some pieces for his soon-to-launch label on a small scale that year before launching the full label for the more general public. Either way it is an exceptional set with a fabulous provenance.

These cropped pant and top sets are the absolute epitome of that early seventies flower power hippie movement. The pants have an extra wide legged cut and they have a slightly cropped feel to them depending on your height. The waist on them is elastic and this allows you to wear it either higher up or low slung on the hips. The top is cropped and it is cut to be fitted to the bust. Its short length shows off a taut, tanned stomach. The front buttons with little round buttons and silk loops. Four at the bottom and one at the top with a slit opening below. There is also a little tie above the top button. The sleeves are cut wide and full above the buttoned cuffs.  I love the edging of bright flowers that adorn the waistline and hem of the skirt as well as run around the bottom, top and sides of that sexy little top. The fabric is a beautiful silk twill and I love the contrasting pattern between the top and pants. The pants are finished on a abstract stripe and the top is done in a floral and geometric feeling print. The combination of the bright turquoise, white, purple and pink is killer. Excellent condition

Both the top and skirt are lined in a bright matching turquoise silk. The top closes with a series of buttons at the front and the pants have elastic at the waist

Top
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Under bust at seam: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 12" from shoulder to hem

Pants
Elastic waist: will stretch from 11"-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 37.5" from waist to hem with 3.5" turned under the hem
Inseam: 23.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3421

Reference Photo: Marisa Berenson, in Donald Brooks, by Irving Penn for Vogue, May 1970.

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 Donald Brooks pieces and this little black strapless number is a great example of how he could do sleek and simple superbly. It is made of a slinky, fluid jersey and its simple exterior hides a very well constructed interior. The strapless bodice hugs your torso and is held in place by an inner corset that hooks to close under the top layer. This gives you a sleek line and shape. Under this the skirt falls to just about the ankle, or just above depending on your height, and there is an astonishing amount of fabric in that skirt. The fabric is light weight enough that it falls perfectly when you are standing still and does not seem bulky, but the second you move (or twirl across a dance floor) the amount of fabric becomes apparent. It is finished with two long panels of fabric that are attached at the back and then curve around the front and loop through the loop at the front center east. These then hang down the front in long ties. I am sure you could get creative and style them a few interesting ways too. Excellent condition

The skirt is unlined and the bodice has a full inner corset that hooks to close. The corset lining is a black silky rayon. The dress closes with a hidden set zipper over that.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: hooks at either 13" or 13.5" f;at across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 8" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2893

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