1950s Vintage Van Raalte Nylon Slip Nightgown Dress

Beautifully made with lace and a ruffle high neckline and bottom hem. Very rare design and hard to find. Product code #7990-86. In wonderful condition with only two small flaws: small white hole near left shoulder and a small brown stain in upper right shoulder, shown in last two photos. Van Raalte's 'Petalskin' fabric slips (and nightgowns) first appeared in the early 1940's and continued well into the 1950's. Certainly the earlier Petalskin slips from the 1940's typically featured plain lines with clean chiffon shadow panels and tailored waists, so typical of the time. Of course, the war years meant that lingerie beauty could not depend on lavish amounts of lace due to production shortages but they were very stylish nonetheless. Later examples of 1950's Petalskin slips had the chiffon shadow panels of the previous decade but decorated with fine embroidery and lace appliqué.