1960s Vested Gentress Cats & Dogs Maxi Shirt Dress

This late 1960s/ early 1970s Cats & Dogs Maxi Dress is a statement dress for sure! It's an off white sleeveless button down shirt design with green, pink, and off white checks and cats and dogs print on the skirt. Most of the cats look grumpy unless they are sleeping, and the dogs look happy. Hook and eyes at the front waist for closure. It has the original pink fabric tie belt too! It is labeled "Vested Gentress, Valley Forge, PA, hand screen printed, 50% polyester, 50% cotton, RN 35385, 10" and in excellent condition, fabric lines on chest I believe are part of the fabric.

Vested Gentress was a husband and wife team, Bud and Naomi, from Valley Forge, PA. Bud was a very good doodler and had some cartoons published. He started a men's clothing line and screen printed vests made-to-order in his home bedroom for some big names like Ambercrombie & Fitch. They played around with a women's line and eventually dissolved the men's line. The women's clothing was official in 1961. Many of the early animal drawings were designed by Bud. There was an activewear line that was sold in country clubs and a kid's line too! They advertised in The New Yorker and even had four storefronts along the east coast. The company closed in 1985. The cat prints are some of the most collectable designs.

The Bust measures 38 inches, 26 inch Waist (but hook and eye can be moved to add 1 inch), 54 inch Hips, a very long 53 inch Length. Shown on a dress form measuring Bust 36 inches, Waist 25 inches, Hip 36 inches. This is an authentic vintage piece in wearable condition, that has been cleaned and repaired (if necessary). Flaws will be noted, but please ask any questions you may have as this is a FINAL SALE garment and cannot be returned. All items are measured flat the same way we measure our reproduction