March 2, 2020

Last Updated on September 8, 2023 by Dominique de Merteuil

The 1940s DuBarry Dress & Its Versatility

The DuBarry brand was known in the 1940s – 1960s for simple yet elegant evening gowns, cocktail and prom dresses, as well as mother-of-the-bride wear.

Today the label is synonymous, amongst us vintage girls, with the best that ready-to-wear vintage has to offer. I love how easy it is to dress up or down the DuBarry gown. It makes the perfect choice for many occasions, although I personally like to treat it as a day-wear.

As you can see in the photographs below, I replaced the original belt with a simple black one. By doing so I turned the evening gown into a simple yet elegant day dress.

The History of the DuBarry Brand

EDIT 2023

*I’m very excited about finding some new information pertaining to the DuBarry Frocks Corp.

In the 1950s Maternally Yours sued Your Maternity Shop. Neither the plaintiff nor the defendant had anything to do with the DuBarry Frocks Corp but the brand was mentioned in the lawsuit. Our allusive brand registered a trade mark ‘Maternelle.’

Defendant also contends that plaintiff’s registration is invalid because of the prior registration of the trade-mark “Maternelle” by DuBarry Frock Corporation. The Patent Office declined to register plaintiff’s mark from the time of application in 1945 until May, 1949, because of the similarity between “Maternelle” and “Maternally Yours.” In 1949, however, the Patent Office determined that “Maternelle” had been abandoned and registered plaintiff’s mark. Defendant argues that this determination was based entirely upon the failure of the successor of DuBarry Frock Corporation to obtain and record a written assignment of the trade-mark.

Maternally Yours, Inc., Plaintiff-appellee, v. Your Maternity Shop, Inc., Defendant-appellant, 234 F.2d 538 (2d Cir. 1956)

I can now confirm that “Maternelle” was registered by DuBarry Frock, Corp. on Jan. 1, 1936!

After countless days of thorough research, I could find very little information about the DuBarry clothing line. Has it not been for the new-to-me DuBarry dress hanging in my closet, and several that I’ve found on Etsy and Pinterest, it would be difficult to believe that the brand has ever existed. It’s like a ghost that’s haunting me day and night giving only a glimpse of its face. What is your story DuBary?

• I checked with The United States Patent and Trademark Office and found Du Barry cosmetics registered on October 24, 1933, but the company had nothing to do with the DuBarry clothing line.

• Neither had the DuBarry patterns which were manufactured by Simplicity from 1931–1946 exclusively for F. W. Woolworth Company.

• According to the BEST & Co. ad from 1950, the beautiful DuBarry gowns were sold

At quality stores everywhere” or bought directly from Du Barry Frocks, 1385 Broadway New York 18, N.Y.C.

*The address is a dead-end as the building changed its owners over the years.

I will, of course, update this post if I come across any new details of the brand’s origins, so keep your fingers crossed!

In the pictures taken by Gregory Michael King, I’m wearing;

• 1940s DuBarry dress
• 1950s black vinyl belt
• 1950s hair snood
• 1960s wicker bag
• French Sole velvet slippers
• Antique cameo
• CS-201 corset from Orchard

A vintage fashion outfit with a slightly modern twist.

Detailed shot of my French Sole slippers, the 1940s dress and a 1960s wicker purse.

Velvet Slippers

In the picture, I’m wearing my lovely DuBarry dress paired with a 1950s belt, 1960s wicker bag and French Sole slippers.

Good hair day requires a smile, even from an Old School Goth.

Who said that redhead can’t wear pink clothes?

If have any further information on the mysterious DuBarry brand, please leave it in the comment section!

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