Women's 70s Dress Black Velvet Silver Sparkle Dot Empire Long Vintage Extra Small to Small VFG Preppy The bodice is styled with

The bodice is styled with a squared neckline and fitted with diagonal darts that meet at the center waist

and started a men's line in the early 60s

there may be crushed nap where the current seaming is

I found some archived sources mentioning the Berlou method dating back to the mid 1930s

Women's 70s Dress Black Velvet Silver Sparkle Dot Empire Long Vintage Extra Small to Small VFG Preppy The bodice is styled withBring the drama to your winter event in this amazing vintage 1970s evening dress! Bodice styled with stand up collar and empire waist that rises to a dramatic point between the breasts. Long fitted sleeves and A line four gore skirt. Collar and narrow cuffs are done in the same velvet as the skirt. Waist and collar are accented with narrow sparkly sequinned braid. SIZE: No size label Measurements Inches Cm Bust 34" 86. 25 Shoulders 14. 25" 36 Natural