I love this vintage Jacques Esterel dress from the early 1970s, dating from the period when the designer was still designing for his own house.

If you weren’t told its age, you could easily believe this dress had been designed recently by a contemporary luxury fashion house. Knitted midi dresses with a low waisted belt have appeared repeatedly on the runways in recent years, making this piece feel surprisingly modern despite being more than 50 years old.

Jacques Esterel is one of those largely forgotten designers who deserves to be remembered. His work was remarkably forward-thinking, and even Jean Paul Gaultier at the start of his carreer worked for him for a short period in the early 1970s.

Original Jacques Esterel dresses from the late 1960s and early 1970s that remain in such excellent, wearable condition are increasingly difficult to find. This makes the dress particularly interesting not only as a beautiful vintage garment, but also as a piece of fashion history with genuine collector appeal.

The dress is in excellent condition, with no fading, holes, pulls or other damage. There is no size label, but it works best for a size 36/38. The knit is quite firm and has only limited stretch.

Measurements that are taken flat:

Ua to Ua 17inches - Waist 16inches - Hips - Sleeve - Total Length 48inche