Name: Marion Donaldson | 1970s Berry Red Velvet Maxi Dress | UK 12-14
SKU: 9fb262905bfd
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Description
Condition Chart
Measurement Guide
Shipping & Delivery

Description

Marion Donaldson 1970s Berry Red Velvet Maxi Dress

History

Fashion label Marion Donaldson was the creation of husband-and-wife team Marion and David Donaldson, whose pilgrimage from London to Glasgow in 1966, at the height of the British fashion movement, proved to be the best decision they ever made.

Armed with a slew of cut-price Liberty fabrics, and a Singer sewing machine, the couple wasted little time gracing the doorsteps of trendy Glaswegian stores, as a form of crude and yet effective self-promotion, wearing their own designs while hoping to break into this as yet untapped, high street fashion market.

With almost immediate success, the Marion Donaldson label was established in 1970, quickly becoming a direct competitor to southern-based labels such as Mary Quant and Laura Ashley, in fact in less than a decade the firm had reached a million pound annual turnover, and all this despite never opening a store.

The label enjoyed uninterrupted success, as the Glasgow and Edinburgh retails outlets saturated them with demands, often in excess of their production capabilities, however the pair worked tirelessly to safeguard their good fortune, and never failed to meet client expectations.

Since closing their doors in 1999, Marion and David have allowed themselves the time and space to reap the rewards of sheer determination and graft, but today urge that a Glasgow fashion museum be built, if only to house their own unique creations for the public, and as a celebration of Scottish fashion history.

Description

This fabulous 1970s berry red dress has a wonderfully smooth panne red velvet fabric, trimmed with ornate gold and burgundy ribboning, complimented by an angular, low cut bodice with empire line skirting which is superbly completed with lightly puffed, buttoned deep cuff, bishop sleeves.

Beautifully designed and stitched to perfection, this piece is a grand and rather medieval styled gown that yearns to be seen at any fine banquet.

Details

Designer Marion Donaldson
Fabric No label present however looks and feels like panne velvet
Size Label reads UK 14 but will fit UK 10-12
Alterations None

Condition

Excellent (see condition chart)
Imperfections None

Measurements

Measured flat without stretching (please double for complete size)

Neckline Opening 9.5″
Shoulder To Shoulder (across back) 13″
Bust (at widest point) 17″
Under Bust 14″
Waist 14″
Hips 26″
Length (collar to hem) 56″
Sleeve Length (underarm to cuff) 19″
Sleeve Length (collar to cuff) 26″
Sweep 54″
Hem 1.5″

Additional Information

Mannequin is UK 8-10 | Bust 31.5″ | Waist 24″ | Hips 34.5″
The dress was not pinned for photography purposes

Condition Chart

Vintage Condition

Having typically enjoyed a previous owner and possibly years of storage, vintage clothes will naturally bear some evidence of their age and history

Barefoot Vintage excellence rests upon item quality and so has never knowingly sold an item failing to meet that strict criteria

All flaws are detailed within the ‘noteworthy’ section of the item description (and photos where applicable)

Condition Guide

All items display a condition rating based on Vintage Fashion Guild guidelines for purchaser peace of mind (see below)

Please familiarize yourself with the terms in the following tables so you can make an informed decision before making a purchase

Condition Rating

New-old / dead stock	Unsold and back-stock merchandise from mid-century retailers with attached original tags
Mint	Immaculate \| may have been worn but bears no evidence
Excellent	Excellent vintage condition \| close to flawless with very few imperfections \| has been worn but well maintained
Very good	Very good vintage condition \| light evidence of wear \| wearable and flaws do not prevent use
Fair	Imperfect in appearance \| likely repairable with more financial investment than item is worth \| remains wearable with care
Study	Damaged beyond repair but suitable for study or costume use

The Small Print

All items are sold in the condition given in their individual description
Age, condition and fabric content are only offered as a professional opinion
Actual details may differ in person suject to visual settings on the purchaser’s computer monitor
All vintage items are old and pre-used by definition and will naturally bear some evidence of their age
Items sold by Barefoot Vintage are not new and will therefore not resemble new merchandise
Barefoot Vintage may decide not to clean certain items if they are deemed to have been clean at the point of acquisition
Most garments are professionally cleaned by our affiliate vintage dry-cleaning specialist
No warranty is given, expressed or implied regarding the survival of any vintage items after they leave Barfeoot Vintage
All items are wearable unless otherwise noted
If you have a question, problem or concern please contact Barefoot Vintage in the first instance as your happiness is our philosophy

Measurement Guide

Are all vintage sizes different from modern sizes?

Size tags on vintage clothing by todays standards, are somewhat misleading. For example, a 1960s size 12 is roughly equivalent to a modern size 8 or 10. Moreover, fifty or 60 years ago a woman’s waist was typically shorter, so a “medium sized” garment might not fit a modern medium sized woman today

How can I be sure your items will fit me?

Due to the fact that vintage and modern sizes differ so greatly Barefoot Vintage has included actual garment measurements as well as the modern size equivalent within every listing to try to help you determine a proper fit

There is also a link to the sizing guide on each product page for immediate reference

Garment Sizing

Barefoot Vintage highly recommends that purchasers take the time to measure themselves (or perhaps an owned garment) to ensure a proper fit ahead of ordering an item

Self-Measurement Process

Using an owned garment

Lay your garment flat and measure with a flexible measuring tape at each of the points referenced in the listing
If preferred you can double the waist, bust-chest and hip measurements to give you the full circumference
If your garment’s measurements are smaller than or equal to our item measurements at each reference point the listed garment should fit

Using Your Own Body Measurements

You will need to use a flexible measuring tape for all measurements and make sure the measuring tape is wrapped snugly but not too tightly as you need the measurement to be accurate

Bust

Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of the bust and add 1.5″ – 2″ to this measurement for ease of movement

Please Note For coats add 3″ – 5″ to the measurement | for strapless items subtract 3″ – 4″ from your normal bra size for best fit

Waist

Wrap the measuring tape around the smallest part of your natural waist
Add 1″ to this measurement for breathing room

Please Note Most vintage garments are supposed to be worn at or above the natural waist, not below it

Hips

Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips and bottom (making sure that the measuring tape is snug to your body but not too tight)
Add 1.5″ – 2″ to this measurement to account for walking and sitting

Shoulders

Measure across the back of your shoulders from the mid-point of each shoulder bone (For coats, add 2″ – 3″ to this measurement)

Please Note Women’s vintage clothing can be narrow in the shoulders

Ribcage

Take a good deep breath to help expand your ribcage and then measure around the fullest part of the under bust

Please Note This will be directly underneath the breasts

Length (Trousers)

Measure straight down the outside of your leg from the natural waist to the point at which you wish the trouser edge to fall

Length (Dresses)

Measure straight down from the highest point of your shoulder to the point at which you wish the dress hemline to fall

Inseam

Measure from your crotch area down the inside of your leg to the point at which you wish the trouser hemline to fall

Rise

Measure from the crotch area up toward the belly button to your natural waist

Please Note Most vintage garments are supposed to be worn at or above the natural waist, not below it

Womens Clothing and Shoes

Womens Clothing

	S		M		L		XL
Chest	38″	39″	40-41″	42-43″	44-45″	46-47″	48-49″	50-51″
Waist	30″	31″	32-33″	34-35″	36-37″	38-39″	40-41″	42-43″
US	36	38	40	42	44	46	48	50
UK	36	38	40	42	44	46	48	50
EU	46	48	51	54	56	59	61	63

(Actual body measurements)

	XS		S		M		L
Bust	30-31″	32″	33-34″	35-36″	37-38″	39-40″	41-42″	43-44″
Waist	22-23″	24″	25″	26″	27″	28″	29-30″	31″
Hip	32-33″	34″	35″	36″	37″	38″	39-40″	41″
US	0	2	4	6	8	10	12	14
UK	6	6	8	10	12	14	16	18
EU France	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48
EU Italy	38	38	40	42	44	46	48	50

Womens Shoes

EU	34	34 1/2	35	35 1/2	36	37	37 1/2	38	38 1/2	39	40	41	42	43
UK	1 1/2	2	2 1/2	3	3 1/2	4	4 1/2	5	5 1/2	6	6 1/2	7	7 1/2	8
US	4	4 1/2	5	5 1/2	6	6 1/2	7	7 1/2	8	8 1/2	9	9 1/2	10	10 1/2

Measuring for a Vintage Hat

If you have an old hat that fits comfortably simply measure the inside circumference of the head opening of the hat to establish your accurate vintage hat size

Please Note Vintage hats are not always marked with a size so you really need to know your head measurement and the hat circumference of the hat for sale

Measure your head with a flexible tape measure to the nearest 1/8″ or 1/4″
Measure the circumference of the head just above the top of the ears
Wrap tape gently around the head making certain the tape lies midway on your occipital bone (the little bump in the middle of the back of your head)

Please Note Do not pull the tape too tight or it will give you a measurement for a tightly fitted hat

Having finished these steps you will now have your hat size for the normal vintage hat

HAT SIZE 6 7/8 = 21 5/8″ = 54.9 cm

HAT SIZE 7 = 22″ = 55.8 cm

HAT SIZE 7 1/8 = 22 3/8″ = 56.8 cm

HAT SIZE 7 1/4 = 22 3/4″ = 57.7 cm

HAT SIZE 7 3/8 = 23 1/8″ = 58.7 cm

HAT SIZE 7 1/2 = 23 1/2″ = 59.6 cm

HAT SIZE 7 5/8 = 23 7/8″ = 60.6 cm

HAT SIZE 7 3/4 = 24 1/4″ =61.5 cm

HAT SIZE 7 7/8 = 24 5/8″ = 62.5 cm

HAT SIZE 8 = 25″ = 63.5 cm

Please Note The sizes taken for hat measurement are the internal hat circumference, hat height and brim size if any

Measuring for Vintage Shoes

How To Measure Your Foot For Vintage Shoes

Sit on a chair and place your bare foot flat on a piece of plain white paper
Carefully trace the outline of your foot onto the paper
Do the same with your other foot
Compare the two tracings (a good method is to place one paper over the other and hold them up to a source of light) Complete Steps 5 and 6 using the larger/longer foot
Measure the tracing from toe edge to heel edge to get the inside shoe length
Measure the tracing from edge to edge at the widest part to get the inside shoe width

Please Note The Shoe length should be about 0.5″ or 1.25 cm longer than foot length

Example A 10″ foot needs a shoe at least 10.5″ long

Shipping & Delivery

Shipping Methods

UK

All UK purchases below £50 are shipped using the Royal Mail ‘Recorded Signed For’ postal service

All UK purchases above £50 are shipped using the Royal Mail 'Special Delivery' postal service

EU and Rest of the World

All EU and international purchases are shipped using the Royal Mail 'International Tracked & Signed' postal service

Note You will be required to sign for the delivery, however should you be unavailable a card will be left to notify you of an attempted delivery after which you will be able to arrange an alternative delivery day to suit your schedule

Shipping Times

Please allow 2-3 working days for Royal Mail 'Recorded Signed For' deliveries from date of despatch

Please allow 1-2 working days for Royal Mail 'Special Delivery' deliveries from date of despatch

Please allow 3-7 working days for Royal Mail 'International Tracked & Signed' deliveries from date of despatch*

*Purchases over £500 can also be shipped via 'Tracked & Signed' within 1-4 days (please contact us at the point of ordering to request a shipping quotation)

All purchases made before 1pm will be shipped within 1 working day of purchase

All purchases made after 1pm will be shipped within 3 working days of purchase

Note Royal Mail 'Special Delivery' is not available for purchases made after 1pm or at weekends

Shipping Insurance

Items lost or damaged in transit are fully insured to £50 when using 'Recorded Signed For' shipping

Items lost or damaged in transit are fully insured to order value when using 'Special Delivery' shipping

Items lost or damaged in transit are fully insured to £250 when using 'International Tracked & Signed' shipping, however insurance cover can be increased upon request but will alter the overall shipping cost

Shipping Costs

Shipping is FREE for all UK purchases when shopping with Barefoot Vintage

EU and International shipping is calculated in the checkout system for each unique destination

Shipping Refunds

Barefoot Vintage does not refund delivery charges (please see our Returns Policy for full details)

When returning an item to Barefoot Vintage the purchaser is responsible for any return shipping costs

Customs Charges

When ordering from outside the EU, the purchaser may be subjected to customs charges (please contact your local customs and excise office for details)

Typically these customs or excise duties are charged once an order reaches its country of destination

As the purchaser is responsible for these charges it is advisable to contact the relevant customs office for estimated costs before purchasing