1970s Jeff Banks Seafoam Green Dress with Floral Print

This 1970s does 1940s summer dress is by celebrated British designer Jeff Banks. The influential designer was a pivotal member of the swinging 60s London fashion scene when he cofounded 'Clobber' in Blackheath Village, London, in 1964. The boutique carried both his own designs and the work of other designers and attracted celebrities such as Terence Stamp and Jean Shrimpton, Twiggy and some of the Beatles. It proved such a success that in 1969, he launched his own fashion label, opening the first standalone Jeff Banks shop, as well as retail outlets in twenty-two department stores including Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Tailored from a seafoam green, viscose-cotton blend with a slight shine to the finish, it is printed with leaves and florals in bold hues of yellow, pink, orange and red. Cut to a short-sleeve, open-collar style, it fastens with chunky fabric-covered buttons down the front. The wide lapels are trimmed with a contrasting darker shade of green floral cloth, which is repeated again at the cuffs, pockets and belt. It has a nipped-in waist and flared skirt and very much followed the tea dress trend at the time and a return to art deco influenced designs.

This is one of the best print examples of the designer's work we've had in our collection for a long time. The dress is in very good to excellent vintage condition; there is a linea area to the top of the left shoulder and sleeve which appears to have gently faded or 'bronzed' due to age. This is hard to spot as it's not apparent at all in lower light levels. And, in daylight, the colour change blends in well together with the light-reflective properties of the material. The composition label reads 60% Viscose, 30% Polynosic, 10% Cotton. The size on the label states UK 12, but please double-check the measurements below as vintage sizes run small. We estimate this is best in modern sizing for up to a UK 10 or US 6.

MEASUREMENTS:

BUST - 37 in. (94 cm)

WAIST - 27 in. (69 cm)

HIP - 42 in. (107 cm)

LENGTH - 45 in. (114 cm)