Mary Tyler Moore would have loved this classy number! Early 1970s minimalist - just throw on a silk scarf and you are ready for the newsroom, or anywhere else a serious working gal might turn up.
Norman Norell was one of the first American designers to have his own label - he started out dressing silent film stars and went on to develop a name for well-constructed, deceptively simple but striking fashions. He was particularly known for his necklines, and this dress is a great example, with a high wide band collar, set-in bishop's sleeve, patch pockets, cover buttons, and a matching, attached covered belt.
LABEL: Norman Norell New York. Mabel Danahy Buffalo.
COLOR: Light Camel
MATERIAL: Wool
CONDITION: Outer dress: There is one small moth hole on the back of the standing collar 1 inch from zip. There are also various minuscule bites and dot marks throughout, you can see some on the sleeve close up.
Lining: 7 water marks/ stains on lining of front bodice area and skirt between 1 and 4 inches each. There is a dark line (like a fold line) 6 inches up from the hem, all the way around, with another similar line 8 inches above that on the front only. Lastly, there is an 11 inch pulled thread on the front.
MEASUREMENTS, allow for some ease:
Bust: 36 in. (91.44 cm)
Shoulder (seam to seam): 14.5 in. (36.8 cm)
Sleeve: 23 in. (58.4 cm)
Nape to Waist: 16 in. (40.5 cm)
Waist: 28 in. (71.12 cm)
Hips (please double): 34 in. - 36 in. (86.36 cm - 91.44 cm)
Waist to Hem: 32 in. (81.2 cm)
Sweep (please double): 23 in. (58/4 cm)