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Designs done in-house
Handmade in Yorkshire, UK
World-wide delivery
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black - model shot
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black - product shot
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black
Play
1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black - video

1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black

Our best-selling 'Stanwyck' style, is the ultimate 1940s 'many-way' dress. It is the epitome of a versatile day-to-night staple, serving as the ideal foundation for accessorising.
£155.00
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UK 10
UK 12
UK 14
UK 16
UK 18
UK 20
UK 22
UK 24
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1940s Stanwyck Dress - Black - product shot

Our best-selling 'Stanwyck' style, is the ultimate 1940s 'many-way' dress. It is the epitome of a versatile day-to-night staple, serving as the ideal foundation for accessorising. 

Named the 'Stanwyck' in homage to 1940s film star Barbara Stanwyck - a woman known for her consummate professionalism and slick dressing. This dress personifies the practical and stylish silhouette of the early 40s and employs classic tailoring with skillful pattern cutting techniques.

The late '30s/early '40s was all about practical and prudent dressing due to austerity and wartime thrift. There were many styles described as 'background' dresses - meaning that the dress was a great base which could be transformed using accessories, jewellery or trim. "Perfect when worn unadorned yet takes accessories with the greatest of ease" 

Dress has a demure high neckline with fitted shoulder yokes above 5 pintucks sunburst arrangement. Simple bodice then has two tucks into the waistline with a simple panelled swing skirt. Sleeves are extra special - three darts in the head with a tuck into the hem. 

Lets just finish off with the cinch belt... This is a real beauty and you will likely use this with other garments. Based on belts found in many original dresses of this era, this is a self fabric covered belt which ties at the front making it fully adjustable and gives a lovely cinching effect.

Back zip and available up to a size 24!

The fabric is a stretch crepe in fabulous vintage black colourway. The touch of spandex means it will stretch a little to accommodate waist variances.  

Key Features Include:-
- high neckline
- shoulder yokes with pin tucks below
- panelled swing skirt
- back zip
- darted sleeve with tuck
- cinch belt with tie

Made in Yorkshire, England. 

Fabric: 60% polyester 37% viscose 3% spandex
Length from natural waist: approx 68cm

Description Plus

Our best-selling 'Stanwyck' style, is the ultimate 1940s 'many-way' dress. It is the epitome of a versatile day-to-night staple, serving as the ideal foundation for accessorising. 

Named the 'Stanwyck' in homage to 1940s film star Barbara Stanwyck - a woman known for her consummate professionalism and slick dressing. This dress personifies the practical and stylish silhouette of the early 40s and employs classic tailoring with skillful pattern cutting techniques.

The late '30s/early '40s was all about practical and prudent dressing due to austerity and wartime thrift. There were many styles described as 'background' dresses - meaning that the dress was a great base which could be transformed using accessories, jewellery or trim. "Perfect when worn unadorned yet takes accessories with the greatest of ease" 

Dress has a demure high neckline with fitted shoulder yokes above 5 pintucks sunburst arrangement. Simple bodice then has two tucks into the waistline with a simple panelled swing skirt. Sleeves are extra special - three darts in the head with a tuck into the hem. 

Lets just finish off with the cinch belt... This is a real beauty and you will likely use this with other garments. Based on belts found in many original dresses of this era, this is a self fabric covered belt which ties at the front making it fully adjustable and gives a lovely cinching effect.

Back zip and available up to a size 24!

The fabric is a stretch crepe in fabulous vintage black colourway. The touch of spandex means it will stretch a little to accommodate waist variances.  

Key Features Include:-
- high neckline
- shoulder yokes with pin tucks below
- panelled swing skirt
- back zip
- darted sleeve with tuck
- cinch belt with tie

Made in Yorkshire, England. 

Fabric: 60% polyester 37% viscose 3% spandex
Length from natural waist: approx 68cm

Sizing Info Plus

Fit Class - Semi-fitted
"skims the body so that is follows shape and may have close fitting areas (e.g. waist)"

This dress is free fitting on hips due to the swing skirt and fits at the waist.

Fabric has comfort stretch in it.

For more information on fit and sizing please visit our size guide. The measurements refer to 'your' body not the garment itself. Please choose the size that most reflects your measurements.

SIZE BUST WAIST HIPS
6* 79cm
31"
61cm
24"
84cm
33"
8 84cm
33"
66cm
26"
89cm
35"
10 89cm
35"
71cm
28"
94cm
37"
12 94cm
37"
76cm
30"
99cm
39"
14 99cm
39"
81cm
32"
104cm
41"
16 104cm
41"
86.5cm
34"
110cm
43"
18 110cm
43"
91.5cm
36"
116cm
45.5"
20* to 117cm
to 46"
to 97cm
to 39"
123cm
48"
22* to 124cm
to 49"
to 104cm
to 42.5"
130cm
51"
24* to 131cm
to 51.5"
to 110cm
to 44"
137cm
54"
26* to 138cm
to 54"
to 117cm
to 46"
144cm
57"
* Sizes 6, 20 to 26 available on selected styles only.
Care Instructions Plus
hand wash icon
Cool Hand Wash
machine wash 30 degrees icon
Machine Wash 30°
Delivery & Returns Plus

Delivery

Enjoy free delivery on orders over £150.

For orders under £150, UK standard delivery is 2 to 4 working days — £4.50 EU standard delivery is 3 to 6 working days — £15 USA standard delivery is 3 to 6 working days — £20 International standard delivery is 5 to 10 working days — £20

Need it a little sooner? Express delivery is available.

A little note on duties: any applicable import taxes are calculated and added at checkout. We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means we take care of everything on your behalf — your parcel passes straight through customs and arrives at your door with nothing more to do.

A little note on duties: any applicable import duties are calculated and added at checkout. We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means we take care of everything on your behalf — your parcel passes straight through customs and arrives at your door with nothing more to do.

A little note on duties: import duties or taxes may be applied by your country's customs authority when your order arrives. We'd recommend checking your local customs guidelines before ordering if you're unsure — we'd hate for any surprises to take the shine off your new piece.

Returns

We offer a 30 day return window, just in case your piece isn't quite the one.

For all the finer details, you can visit our Delivery & Returns page.

Customers praised this elegant vintage-style dress as "gorgeous" and "well-made," expressing excitement about adding it to their wardrobe. The dress received high marks for quality construction. Sizing may run small, as shoppers mentioned sizing up, though fit seems flexible.

  • A gorgeous, well-made dress that I am so excited to have in my wardrobe.
  • 5 stars: 24 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
I
IM (Rome, IT)
Stunningp

I love this dress, it's beautiful and very flattering while being also very comfortable to wear. Definitely a new favourite!

R
Roos (The Hague, NL)
The best dress ever!

I love this dress, I’ve bought it for our anniversary party in 1930 style. I couldn’t find the perfect dress, until I found the site of the house of foxy. I didn’t think I would be this perfect. But I look great in it. And it is so comfortable. I would definitely buy this dress. The fabric is beautiful en the dark blue is a beautiful color.

N
Nicole (Bremen, DE)
Just Perfekt

Once again, a beautiful dress that fits like a glove. High-quality, just like all my other pieces from The House of Foxy. I’m in love!
Thank you very much 😍

W
Wendy Leaumont (Malvern, US)
Gorgeous Dress - High quality

This dress is very flattering. It's very true to the 40s style. The material is really nice and hugs the body in all the right places. Highly recommend!

K
Kate O'Mara (Hull, GB)
Perfect 40s day dress!

Smart enough to pair with a pair of suede heels for evening or paired with sandals for a daytime look. I love my Stanwyck dress. I would say check the measurements. As a plus sized gal I sized up and could probably have done with my regular size, it's generous in the bust, hips and waist. My only complaint is that there are no belt loops and I almost lost my belt!

M
Maria Hevzy (Arendal, NO)
Absulutely lovely dress!

I love it! Allready have it in another color. Only thing missing is a jacket to West with it!

A
Alicia

The team was amazing - helped me find the right size based on my measuements. The dress and jacket fit perfectly - and are great quality. I’m very happy!

C
Claire W (Aylesford, GB)
Fabulous dress

I love this dress. I already have it in a number of other colours because it's so easy to wear and so flattering. Also love this new, unusual colour - really pretty.

J
Jayne Friend (Chatham, GB)
Beautiful fit, colour and quality

Just beautiful, fits perfectly as do all your items. A very flattering and authentic cut and the berry colour is so pretty.

A
Alyssa Sayuki (Torrance, US)
Got to have them in all colours!

So glad I got this dress as my first dress from England! So much so that I ended getting all the colours in my size until other colours become available.

The materials used is high quality and the the dress has some weight to it which I’ve not felt in other dresses I have.

Hopefully the other colours become available soon.

So grateful to find a company that makes their own attire locally and can share them with the world to wear.

Keep up the amazing work!

S
Sharon Didcote (Worthing, GB)
Perfect Dress

This dress is sheer perfection. Fits like a glove and so flattering. The fabric is comfortable and the red colour is beautiful. I want another one in black.

D
Dolly Pemberton-Murray (Hamilton, GB)
Stunning colour

I had been looking at this dress for a while but I generally don't like very high necklines, but I loved the colour, so I eventually ordered it, and I am certainly not disappointed. I did give a slight tweak to the neck line with a needle and thread to make it sit better, and I am quite happy with it now. The detail around the shoulders is lovely, and I love having the belt that allows one to nip in the waist. I also love the longer length of the lovely puff sleeves . The skirt is also a nice length and swings beautifully, which is important to me as a dancer, and the material is soft and comfortable with a nice amount of stretch. I love the colour so much that I tried to order the Blondell dress in the same colour but sadly they had run out of my size.

M
Mona (Trondheim, NO)
Beautiful!

This 40s dress is perfection! The details on the front are so beautiful, I am considering buying one in a different colour. As always, very pleased with my favourite brand🙌🏻😍

M
Minke

Beautiful dress and beautifully made

N
Nicole Vickers (Oxon Hill, US)
Simply lovely!

A gorgeous, well-made dress that I am so excited to have in my wardrobe. I did size up, but I think I could've gone either way. Now I just need the jacket go with it! :-)

A
Anita Blanchett (Reading, GB)
Great dress

I have this dress and the matching jacket .
I wore it to this years Goodwood revival and received many lovely comments .
The dress fits perfectly and feels great to wear.
I will buy more from this range .

E
Elizabeth Hill (Bristol, GB)
Beautiful dress

I brought this dress as a last minute back up for the dress I was planning to get married in. I paid extra postage and it arrived super fast. I had followed the measurement chart and came out at a size 18, which fitted perfectly. As soon as I tried it on I knew it was the dress I wanted to wear for my wedding day. The pin tucks on the front are beautiful and the belt can be placed wherever you prefer it. The dress is really flattering and has a slight stretch to it - a thick crepe. The only negative is that the shoulders looked a bit wide, having the puff sleeves too. It seems that as the sizing goes up, it is assumed that you go up proportionally, but my shoulders are quite narrow. This was easily sorted as I just hand sewed the puffy bits of the sleeve in at the shoulder seam which took me 10 minutes tops. I absolutely LOVE this dress and I'm now saving up to buy another one in a different colour way. Everyone asked where I got my dress from and you can see the quality, absolutely worth every penny.

N
Natasha (Bristol, GB)
Perfect

Highly recommend this dress style. The cut is very flattering & the dress is also very comfortable (given the slight stretch). Makes you look put together with minimal effort. I’ve had this complimented twice, just because of how nicely the material falls.

I went with the UK10. My measurements fluctuate but are mostly 35”/27” for bust/waist. The 10 fits perfectly with slight room in the waist (perfect for the belt &/or allowance for said fluctuation). The arms fit well - fitted but not tight.

This fastens with a back zip which makes it easy to get on. The navy colour is also lovely & again hugely flattering.

G
Gabrielle
Another fantastic item

As always, House of Foxy exceeds expectations. The dress fits like a glove, is comfortable, well-made, has rich colour, and the fabric is wonderful. The dress arrived within the expected time frame too. Delighted with the latest addition to my wardrobe.

We're so thrilled that the Stanwyck has found a home with you Gabrielle, thank you for the lovely review!

M
Marj
Lovely dress

This dress is very nice and comfortable to , fits really well nice length I brought it in blue as well its well made love this era very good delivery no problem with this company at all

D
Diane Hunter
I am absent thrilled with this dress.

The fit is perfect colour just right and the quality of the workmanship second to none.
The communication was great delivery spot on. I cannot thank you enough.

E
Elisabeth
I love this dress.

It's well made and has good quality. Heavy but still floaty material. My measurements are 40-33-39 and I have a size 14. It fits tight, but the stretch in the material makes it look very nice. It`s still comfortable to wear. If you wish a looser fit, you should probably size up with similar measurements as mine.

K
Kate
A gorgeous, quality dress that's worth every penny!

This was my first HoF dress, & I had some sizing questions that the team was happy to get me specific fit information (my upper arms aren't usually accommodated for in many modern cuts)...al from half a world away, as I live in the US. With specific measurements & sizing recommendations from the team, I ordered a size 14 that fits like a dream. My measurements are 38"-30.5"-39". I love the authentic 40s details, and I get compliments all around when I wear it, not to mention it's high-quality to boot!

C
Customer
Excellent fit!

I'm an hourglass/pear shape and it's very hard to find dresses which accommodate the bust but also nip in at the waist enough and this is perfect! Fits like a glove, true to waist measurement. And the material is really nice and durable.

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