Can you help me date this item??

[Sunny]

The white stone in the middle of one of them is kinda shiny and has a pinkish tint.

The shiny effect can kinda be seen here:

The white stone looks like an opal to me. Very pretty indeed! I'm sorry I can't provide any dating help, except that the lipstick holder could easily be from the 1950s, maybe even 1940s.

That ornamentation style began in the 1940s (I THINK) and it hung on for decades as the conservative alternative to Mod and so forth.

[KittyT]

The white stone looks like an opal to me.

That's exactly what I thought.

That ornamentation style began in the 1940s (I THINK) and it hung on for decades as the conservative alternative to Mod and so forth.

It reminds me of a lot of the Coro costume jewelry from that same time period.

[Vintage Betty]

LauraChase - two references found already. Hoping to post info in a week or less.

Tinseltown - will provide info also in a week or less, if no one else steps forward.

Cheers-

VB

[Tinseltown]

Vintage Betty, Thanks a lot!!

[Miss 1929]

Oh, lady, you are a treasure!

Here's my dress, as I found it (wrinkled and holed). Buckle and buttons are matching brown plastic. When do you reckon it's from?

The buckle, the belt in the back only, the assymetrical closure of the buttons, the little epulets (and no shoulder pads to speak of) all cry out 1933 to 1935 to me. Nice dress! Don't iron it, it will get shiny, steam it instead.

[Laura Chase]

The buckle, the belt in the back only, the assymetrical closure of the buttons, the little epulets (and no shoulder pads to speak of) all cry out 1933 to 1935 to me. Nice dress! Don't iron it, it will get shiny, steam it instead.

I think 30's too, but I'm happy you can narrow it down for me. You're a doll.

Can I steam it with my iron, without touching the surface? Several of my vintage dresses need a good steaming and I can't find any of those nifty prof-ish steamers for anywhere under $200 over here.

I have another dress with a buckle in the back, but that one is definitely 40's and has large shoulder pads and the buckle is covered in fabric. I was thinking of adding small pads to the brown dress too, I think it'd look better.

Tinseltown, I love the lipstick holder. Is it for small lipsticks like the Bésame ones or the same size as modern day lipsticks?

[KittyT]

Can I steam it with my iron, without touching the surface? Several of my vintage dresses need a good steaming and I can't find any of those nifty prof-ish steamers for anywhere under $200 over here.

Many Rowenta brand irons can do vertical steam shots (meaning you can steam an item that's hanging up). Rowenta irons produce a ton of steam and are the best for regular pressing as well (especially if you do sewing). At least over here, you can get a decent one for about $70.

[Miss 1929]

that's the easiest!
Or throw it in the dryer with a slightly damp towel - steams it enough usually. The dress doesn't look too crushed! that may be enough.

[Tinseltown]

Laura - They're actually quite big. Is that a sure-fire sign that its not of "The Golden Age"?
When did they start making lipsticks bigger?

In regards to steaming, have you tried hanging it in the bathroom (on the curtain rod for instance) after a hot shower??
Someone recommended me that for a dress of mine (Silk). Haven't tried it out, though!

Vintage Betty, I am especially excited to see if you can find anything out about the silver ring. It's my favorite ring and t's very dear to my heart. I can't remember when my granny said it was from, though.

[Laura Chase]

Laura - They're actually quite big. Is that a sure-fire sign that its not of "The Golden Age"?
When did they start making lipsticks bigger?

No, not at all, I've seen big lipsticks from the 50's, anyway. I don't know when it started, though.

In regards to steaming, have you tried hanging it in the bathroom (on the curtain rod for instance) after a hot shower??
Someone recommended me that for a dress of mine (Silk). Haven't tried it out, though!

Will try that, can't hurt.