This was an incredible estate find...a Nat Kaplan vintage ultrasuede dress done in a soft blue ultrasuede. A front neckline placket has three grey pearlized buttons (unbuttoned for a dramatic scarf perhaps?) and is topped by a pointed shirt type collar.
The pockets that start at the side seams are dramatic as well...a geometric cut, great stitch detail and the button accent again. There is a back zipper for easy dressing and a back lined yoke, slightly dropped across the shoulder in front for comfort and fit. The long sleeves end in pleated shirt cuffs with one more grey button.
One of the nice touches is the snap tabs on the inside shoulder seam to keep your bra straps in place; the only flaw I can find is that the belt itself is missing. (There is another ultrasuede Nat Kaplan dress on the intenet that has a matching crushed satin wrap belt with a rhinestone buckle. This dress may have had a similar accent rather than a self belt, so it would be a easy replacement, especially in this color...I just used a scarf for the pictures, the closest color I had handy).
The first tag you see on the inside is from Miss Jackson's...probably the most elegant name in women's couture in Tulsa. The Nat Kaplan label is on a lower side seam. The group of labels with the Ultrasuede sig are on the back seam...all but the size label! One tag gives washing instructions; I would think gentle washing would be in order! It is in excellent condition for a vintage piece.
So---the dress measures 43-1/2" mid shoulder to hem, 23" shoulder seam to cuff edge, 21-1/2" across the bustline lying flat (bottom of sleeve seam), 18-3/4" at the belt loops, and 21-1/2" at the hips (measured at the bottom button on the pockets).
All in all, this is a lovely style in a lovely color...with a lovely couture label to tell you its quality. It's ready for a great time in someone's wardrobe!