arnold scaasi

Brilliant Spring 1987 Arnold Scaasi Off Shoulder Silk Twill Floral Dress w Pouf Skirts

This dress is by Arnold Scassi and I love the vivid floral fabric choice that he used for this one. Scaasi worked under Charles James at the start of his career and many of his gowns reflect this early influence. His boutique line was launched in 1984 and was high end ready to wear and very expensive. Pieces from it often have a demi-couture level finish and really are an extension of his couture line. This one is especially fabulous because its twin resides in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston which is how we dated it.

I love the color of this dress and the choice of a silk twill as the fabric. This is a fabric that holds colour and print exceptionally well and this dress is no exception to that. The silk is completely covered with an explosion of colours and huge flowers that literally covers every square inch of the dress. The colours are fantastic.The bodice is cut to skim over the torso and the neckline is cut on a slight scoop at the front and the back. The sleeves are extremely full and they billow out to just above the elbow. Inside the have netting and the edge is scooped up and under to help create and hold the volume that you see. I love the bare expanse of skin across the top of the shoulders when you wear it off the shoulder. If you prefer you can also wear it on the shoulder. The waist nips in and the the skirt explodes out with fantastic volume. Like the sleeves, the skirt has built-in netting placed in between the exterior silk and the inner silk lining. This is what holds all the volume and flounce around hem. The skirt is cut longer at the back than the front. So from the front you get a flash of the leg and from the back you get a more full length evening gown feel. And because combination of silk and nothing is very late when you move the skirt has movement to it that adds incredible movement around you when you walk. It is just joyful and light feeling. Great overall condition with a note below.

Fully lined in a red silky rayon with built inner netting in the sleeves and skirt. It closed a hidden set zipper at the back. There is are two mark on one sleeve, one about a pencil eraser size and the other one just a bit bigger than a pinhead. There is also a light mark the front of the skirt to the side. Please see the two photos after the label shot.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of shoulder to center waist
Skirt: 30" from waist to front hem, 44" to the back hen

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4274

Reference Photo: Spring 1987 Arnold Scaasi dress from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Collection.

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

Setting up a layaway is super easy and we are happy to provide this service!

Here's how deposits work on a standard layaway:

  • We require three equal payments of the layaway total. You will be invoiced for the first amount upon request
  • payment two of the remaining balance will be billed two weeks from the date of the initial deposit.
  • The final payment is due two weeks after the second payment and shipping will be billed on this invoice as well.
  • items less then $500, or that are on sale, require a 50% deposit with the final payment due in two weeks from the date of deposit 

Read More

We offer flat rate Standard UPS shipping worldwide. All shipping options are displayed at checkout in the pull down menus provided.

Want it faster?

We offer flat rates for expedited and express shipping options - these will also display at check out and can be selected with the drop down menu during the checkout process.

Read More

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.