Unusual late 1930s / 1940s panne velvet wedding dress

Unusual vintage wedding dress in a soft ivory velvet. The wonderful scalloped edge sizeable train is decorated with appliquéd bows to the corners. Very late 1930s (the bow detail to train? into 40s.

Fastens to the side with snaps and hooks. Single button and loop fastening to point cuffs - these are replacement but I may have the originals somewhere (see below).

Small almost Peter Pan shaped collar is soft (not stiffened) and shown open, but I think it should have a hook and eye added to fasten at neck? Left for now as no sign of there being one originally - up to you. Puffed sleeve heads down into fitted sleeves. 

Measures: approx UK 8/10?

Bust 36”

Waist 28” max without stressing the basic closures, belt to fit smaller

Hips up to 42”

Length from shoulder to hem at front approx 52”

The train section is roughly an additional 47” long, and around 64” across at widest 

Condition: 

The original covered buttons to front were rusted, as shown, so I replaced with the little carved mother of pearl ones, and a large mother of pearl buckle to match on ribbon. You could of course change these to suit (I’ve only pinned on the ribbon), but I just wanted to make it wearable! I have put the rusty original buttons somewhere safe... I will try to find them and if not yet can send on!

Underarms appear good.

Has been cleaned, there are some remaining marks to bottom of train as shown, and a couple of very small old repairs near train corners as shown. A small mark remains to bodice where buttons were rusted. I haven’t spot treated so you could possibly improve with effort. 

Heading towards a century old, it’s imperfect as noted, but fabric still strong and wearable and overall impression good.