Rare Early 1930s Rayon Crepe Day Dress | Navy Blue Soutache Trim | Button Front Smocked Shoulders | As Found

Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, and button front on a dress form.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on mannequin.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with button front, smocked shoulders, and soutache trim on white background.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and long sleeves.
Back view of 1930s navy blue rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, cuffed long sleeves; chest measures 18 inches wide.
1930s navy-trimmed rayon crepe day dress with button front, laid flat; yellow tape measures 19-inch chest width.
Yellow measuring tape across navy 1930s rayon crepe day dress, showing 16.5 inches; button front and smocked shoulders visible.
Yellow tape measures 15" across navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim and buttons, on dark textured fabric.
1930s rayon crepe day dress, navy soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, yellow tape showing 18-inch waist
Yellow measuring tape shows 18 inches across navy pleated rayon crepe 1930s day dress with soutache, buttons, and smocked shoulders.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress close-up with vertical fabric-covered buttons and subtle age creases.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with visible seam lines, faint wrinkles, and soutache trim on a grid cutting mat.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim and buttons, held over a gray measuring mat with grid lines.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and a faint light stain on fabric.
Close-up of dark navy rayon crepe fabric with silky texture, soutache trim, buttons, and smocked 1930s day dress details.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on dress form, white background
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on a grid-patterned background.
Close-up of 1930s navy rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders; faint stains on lower left.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on a light grid-patterned background.
Hand opens inner seam of navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, frayed edges, and visible lining stitching.
Close-up of 1930s rayon crepe dress with navy soutache trim, smocked shoulders, visible stitching, and unfinished seam edges.
1930s navy-trimmed rayon crepe day dress with smocked shoulders and exposed seams on a beige grid-patterned background.
Hand touching textured navy blue rayon crepe, with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on a 1930s day dress.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, and button front on a dress form.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on black form, white backdrop.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on black mannequin torso.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, on mannequin with metallic base.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and modest vintage style.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders displayed on a mannequin.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, puff sleeves, fabric-covered buttons on mannequin
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, slight wrinkles, buttons, and patterned sleeve accents.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and slight fabric wrinkling.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on mannequin, white background.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and fitted waist
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress, back view, with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, and faint white stains on the lower skirt.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, visible stains and wrinkles, held on right by a hand against white background.
1930s navy rayon crepe sleeve with gold soutache swirl embroidery near cuff, softly wrinkled texture.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, high collar on mannequin.
Hand holding sleeve of navy 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, wrinkled texture.
1930s rayon crepe day dress with navy soutache trim, gold buttons on smocked cuff, and a hand at the vintage button front.
Hand holding sleeve of 1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with button front, smocked 1920s-style shoulders, soutache trim.
Navy 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders; faint white stain on fabric.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders, shown in close-up.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders; vintage style.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on a plain white background.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and detailed collar and cuffs.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders; vintage condition.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on a white background
Early 1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders, as found.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, patterned collar; measured at 48 inches.
Yellow measuring tape beside navy 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, buttons, patterned collar; measures 47 inches.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders; yellow tape measures 49 inches.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress, fabric-covered buttons, standing collar with soutache trim, neckline embroidery, white backdrop.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders in Depression Era style.
1930s navy rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, yellow tape at waist measures 18 inches.

An incredible survivor from the early Depression Era. This deep navy blue (or perhaps a faded midnight) rayon crepe day dress captures the exact moment fashion shifted from the loose 1920s to the structured 1930s. Featuring exquisite soutache-style embroidery on the collar and cuffs, rows of fabric-covered buttons, and intricate smocking, this is a piece for the serious collector. Sold “As Found” with history to spare.

  • Measurements:

    • Bust: 36″ (approx, allows for drape due to smocking)

    • Waist: 34″ (meant to fit somewhat loosely/dropped)

    • Hips: 42″

    • Length: 46.5″

Make me an offer!
(Almost) all pricing is negotiable.

Category:

$175.00

In stock

International buyer? Please purchase via our eBay shop or message me for help.

Approximate Modern Size

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Decade

Condition

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Main Colors

More about this Item

  • This dress is a study in early 1930s construction. It sits right on the cusp of the decade, retaining a slightly relaxed, dropped waist silhouette while introducing the romantic, puffed shoulders and longer hemline that defined the 30s.

The Details
The construction quality here is high-end. The front features a long row of fabric-covered buttons—but here is the secret: they are decorative! Beneath them lies a row of original metal snaps, all present and working, keeping the placket perfectly flat. The collar and cuffs are adorned with a scrolling, cream-colored embroidery (likely soutache or braid work). The back of the neck features a stunning tiered design of this embroidery.

The shoulders feature heavy smocking/gathering, creating a beautiful drape over the bust. The fabric is a substantial rayon crepe with a wonderful texture.

Condition: As Found / Restoration Candidate
I have chosen to offer this piece exactly as found because the structural condition is surprisingly excellent for its age (nearly 100 years old!).

  • The Good: The underarms are strong with no shattering or rot—a miracle for rayon of this age. All buttons and snaps are present.

  • The Flaws: The dress shows surface soil and dirt marks (specifically on the back skirt and near the side). There is a faint watermark/bleach mark on the side. The silk facing on the inner hem is “shattered” (disintegrating)—this is standard for silk of this era and should be carefully trimmed away or removed; it does not affect the outer dress. There are a few small snags/pinholes and general fading consistent with age.

This dress requires professional dry cleaning to look its best, but it is sturdy, wearable, and absolutely rare in this size.

  • Measurements:

    • Bust: 36″ (approx, allows for drape due to smocking)

    • Waist: 34″ (meant to fit somewhat loosely/dropped)

    • Hips: 42″

    • Length: 46.5″

    • Modern Size Estimate: Modern Medium (US 8/10)

Vintage Product Gallery

Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, and button front on a dress form.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on mannequin.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with button front, smocked shoulders, and soutache trim on white background.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and long sleeves.
Back view of 1930s navy blue rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, cuffed long sleeves; chest measures 18 inches wide.
1930s navy-trimmed rayon crepe day dress with button front, laid flat; yellow tape measures 19-inch chest width.
Yellow measuring tape across navy 1930s rayon crepe day dress, showing 16.5 inches; button front and smocked shoulders visible.
Yellow tape measures 15" across navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim and buttons, on dark textured fabric.
1930s rayon crepe day dress, navy soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, yellow tape showing 18-inch waist
Yellow measuring tape shows 18 inches across navy pleated rayon crepe 1930s day dress with soutache, buttons, and smocked shoulders.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress close-up with vertical fabric-covered buttons and subtle age creases.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with visible seam lines, faint wrinkles, and soutache trim on a grid cutting mat.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim and buttons, held over a gray measuring mat with grid lines.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and a faint light stain on fabric.
Close-up of dark navy rayon crepe fabric with silky texture, soutache trim, buttons, and smocked 1930s day dress details.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on dress form, white background
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on a grid-patterned background.
Close-up of 1930s navy rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders; faint stains on lower left.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on a light grid-patterned background.
Hand opens inner seam of navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, frayed edges, and visible lining stitching.
Close-up of 1930s rayon crepe dress with navy soutache trim, smocked shoulders, visible stitching, and unfinished seam edges.
1930s navy-trimmed rayon crepe day dress with smocked shoulders and exposed seams on a beige grid-patterned background.
Hand touching textured navy blue rayon crepe, with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on a 1930s day dress.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, and button front on a dress form.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on black form, white backdrop.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders on black mannequin torso.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, on mannequin with metallic base.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and modest vintage style.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders displayed on a mannequin.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, puff sleeves, fabric-covered buttons on mannequin
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, slight wrinkles, buttons, and patterned sleeve accents.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and slight fabric wrinkling.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on mannequin, white background.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and fitted waist
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress, back view, with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, smocked shoulders, and faint white stains on the lower skirt.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, visible stains and wrinkles, held on right by a hand against white background.
1930s navy rayon crepe sleeve with gold soutache swirl embroidery near cuff, softly wrinkled texture.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, high collar on mannequin.
Hand holding sleeve of navy 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, wrinkled texture.
1930s rayon crepe day dress with navy soutache trim, gold buttons on smocked cuff, and a hand at the vintage button front.
Hand holding sleeve of 1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with button front, smocked 1920s-style shoulders, soutache trim.
Navy 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders; faint white stain on fabric.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders, shown in close-up.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders; vintage style.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on a plain white background.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, and detailed collar and cuffs.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders; vintage condition.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders on a white background
Early 1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders, as found.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders, patterned collar; measured at 48 inches.
Yellow measuring tape beside navy 1930s rayon crepe dress with soutache trim, buttons, patterned collar; measures 47 inches.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, smocked shoulders; yellow tape measures 49 inches.
Navy blue 1930s rayon crepe dress, fabric-covered buttons, standing collar with soutache trim, neckline embroidery, white backdrop.
1930s navy blue rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, and smocked shoulders in Depression Era style.
1930s navy rayon crepe day dress with soutache trim, button front, yellow tape at waist measures 18 inches.

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