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Summer dress & jacket
Horrockses Fashions - Enlarge image
Summer dress & jacket
- Place of origin:
England (made)
- Date:
1955 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Horrockses Fashions (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Printed cotton
- Credit Line:
Given by Corinne Dawson
- Museum number:
T.11:1 to 3-1997
- Gallery location:
In Storage
Full-skirted, brightly printed cotton dresses have become a by-word for 1950s fashion. Some of the best examples of this style were made by Horrockses. Their top-quality cotton fabrics retained their brightness and crispness despite frequent washing. The bold, lively prints were often designed by leading artists of the day. The combination of flowers and stripes seen in this example was particularly popular, and much copied by rival manufacturers. The dress was purchased with a matching bolero.
The Horrockses dress became an universal must-have, desired by women of all ages and social backgrounds. Whilst the dresses were relatively expensive, working women would save up to buy one for "best", usually as a honeymoon outfit. They were also worn by members of the royal family.