Halston did variations of these chiffon wrap dresses over the course of several years and they are still among the most collectible of all of his pieces. Nothing says Halston like this classic shape. When you find one in a silk chiffon and in a classic black that you can wear over and over it is a joy to have in the shop. Versions of this dress have appeared in several museum exhibits of his work and like many of his pieces it is just insanely comfortable and easy to wear. This one is from his main label and it is a very special piece of his work and it is gorgeous. 

This dress is drop dead gorgeous with its yards and yards of bias cut silk chiffon in that perfect simple black. The construction on it rivals any of the best Halston pieces I have seen to date. The dress is made of four feather light layers of bias cut silk chiffon stacked on top of each other through the body and then the upper shoulders and sleeves are a single layer. This gives it a play on transparency that I love. It is just stunning to see it in person. Layering the chiffon like that also gives it so much more movement then it would have otherwise. Your slightest movement while this is on causes the silk to float and move around you. The layers have just enough weight to stay in place when you are standing still and then when you move they will move with you and the result is gorgeous. This is a fabric that is notoriously difficult to work with and it shows just what a genius he was by the way that he was able to make it flow and sit so beautifully. The dress wraps at the front and is secured in place with hook and eye on the inner and outer waist. For some of the photos I added a pretty black ribbon so you can see how it would look belted. You could wear any belt and instantly change the look. I also photoed it without a belt so you could see that it's just as great worn like that. The neckline plunges in a low V at the front and then the dress falls in a loose and easy cut that skims over you. The bias cut lets it both cling and skim over you at the same time and its incredibly easy to wear. It simply falls from the neckline to skim over the bust and  nip in a bit at the waist. The hips also skim over you and are an easy fit due to that bias cut silk and wrap. The skirt widens out as it nears the hem and the layers and bias cut of the silk all create more movement and swing when you move. Depending on your height and how cinched in you make the waist the dress falls to about mid-calf or a little lower. Cinching it can bring it up more. I love the way the shoulder are set on a slant and then fall to the wide cut sleeves. The silk there is only a single layer so you get a glimpse of skin through them and it's very sexy in that very Halston kind of way. This is a dress that must be on a body to really come to life. As good as it looks here it is nothing compared to it on and moving. And even as beautiful as it is, it is also a technical masterpiece with all those layers of silk and the way he constructed it. It is very beautiful. Excellent condition

The layers of silk as described above act as the lining. It hooks and snaps to close along the waist line. The waist is elastic so has a bit of stretch. If you need to adjust the waist you could easily move the hooks to fit you perfectly either up or down or cinch it in more with a belt.One tiny repair on the innermost layer of the skirt

Sleeves: approx 21"
Shoulders: no true defined seams
Bust: no true side seams
Elastic waist: 14-16" flat across from side seam to side seam and you can cinch it in as much as needed with a belt
Hips: open
Length: 51" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4357

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.