the look

a 1970s marimekko cotton dress in a swirling pink print over a green and white dotted ground, made in finland and brought to the us by design research. it has a jewel neckline bound in the dotted fabric, short cap sleeves, a back zip, and a swingy a-line body finished with a pintucked hem. marimekko was founded in helsinki in 1951 and made its name on bold, large scale printed cottons. design research, the cambridge store opened by architect ben thompson, was the label's exclusive american importer and the place these prints first reached us shoppers, right up until d/r closed in 1978. the d/r tag stitched in beside the marimekko label puts this piece squarely in that window, when a marimekko cotton bought at design research was a quiet design world flex.

please note: technically a child's size (size 145) but can be worn as a tunic or mini. go by the flat measurements for fit.

details

• era: 1970s
• designer: marimekko
• origin: finland
• design: short a-line shift with a jewel neckline bound in the green and white dotted print, cut-on cap sleeves, a center back zip, and a pintucked hem that holds the swing. screen printed pink scrolling motif over a dotted ground, classic marimekko large scale print work. materials and percentages: content tag reads 100% cotton, a crisp poplin weight.
• condition: very good: bright, even print and clean cotton throughout. the pink back zip runs smoothly. light overall age and minor fraying at the interior label edges. no holes, minor stains on back that blend into print, not noticeable. see fifth photo.
• size & fit: labeled a european size 145. fits up to a modern small to women's medium and wears as an easy tunic or mini depending on frame. the body is an unshaped a-line trapeze, so go by the flat measurements.
• flat measurements: bust 18.5 in flat, shoulder 12 in, cap sleeve 4 in, length 22.5 in, hem 21 in flat