mollie parnis

1970s Mollie Parnis Corset Front Purple & Red Floral Print Dress

Mollie Parnis is one of my favorite American designers. During the course of her career she dressed numerous first ladies and her work was held in high regard. She started a label with her husband in 1933 and by the 1940s was designing solely under her own label. The boutique label launched in 1970 and the fabrics used for this label were targeted to a younger audience and the fabrics used for it tended to be more whimsical and brighter to appeal to a younger clientele. This example is exceptional and very pretty. It has a bit of a renaissance, milkmaid feel to it with its laced corseted front, even if the laces are most decorative. It is as pretty in person as it appears in the photos and I think its even better in real life. I love the contrasting colors and play on the two prints. They work off of each other to give the top and skirt contrast but still tie it all together wonderfully. The bodice has seaming and that lace front detail to emphasize the bust line.  It is banded below that in the same purple floral print cotton with a empire feeling waist. From there the skirt falls to the ground in that gorgeous contrasting red with its own floral print covering it. There is a ton of fabric in the skirt so you get great movement. It is really a gorgeous little number. Excellent condition.

Fully lined through the skirt in a red silk voile. The bodice is finished inside in the same fabric as the exterior. The laces do cinch it in a bit so the fit is perfect, but are mainly decorative. It closes with a back painted metal & nylon zipper. Note the straps seem to fit long for the cut and where the bust sits once on, I suspect most girls will want to shorten them to fit properly.

Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam

Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of straps to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2985

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

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SIZE GUIDE

Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.