Day Dress
1929 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This below-the-knee day dress made of printed silk chiffon is slightly gathered at a normal waistline on an elastic band. The skirt has a minutely pleated yoke that runs across the hips. There are two sets of fine pleats on the front of the skirt, which flares out slightly towards the knees. The printed pattern of waved bands of massed flower-heads is carefully disposed in all pieces of the dress. On the bodice, sleeves and skirt yoke the bands run diagonally, while on the skirt's bias-cut gores they run horizontally. The minute pin-tucks on the bodice, sleeves and skirt are hand sewn. This design is typical of the years following 1929, when flowing summer dresses in gossamer fabrics with floral prints were popular. Such delicate silks are extremely difficult to handle and sew, demanding a great deal of skill and patience.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Printed silk georgette, elastic, hand and machine sewn |
| Brief description | Day dress of printed silk georgette, retailed at La Samaritaine, Paris, 1929 |
| Physical description | Day dress of printed silk georgette. Below-the-knee dress with long sleeves, and deep V-neckline. Slightly gathered at normal waistline on an elastic band. Skirt has a minutely pleated yoke which runs across the hips. Two sets of fine pleats on the front of the skirt. Skirt flares out slightly towards the knees. The printed pattern consists of waved bands of massed flower heads carefully disposed in all pieces of the dress. On the bodice, sleeves and skirt yoke the bands run diagonally, while on the skirt's bias-cut gores, they run horizontally. The minute pin-tucks on the bodice, sleeves and skirt are hand sewn. |
| Style | |
| Production type | Limited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions | La Samaritaine (French) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs M. Massey-Stewart |
| Object history | This dress was designed for and sold at the famous Parisian department store La Samaritaine. Historical significance: Typical shape of dress from end of 1920s, when dresses started to show some sculptural features again. The waist returned to its normal place. Skirts, tight on the hips and thighs, flared slightly from the knees. |
| Summary | This below-the-knee day dress made of printed silk chiffon is slightly gathered at a normal waistline on an elastic band. The skirt has a minutely pleated yoke that runs across the hips. There are two sets of fine pleats on the front of the skirt, which flares out slightly towards the knees. The printed pattern of waved bands of massed flower-heads is carefully disposed in all pieces of the dress. On the bodice, sleeves and skirt yoke the bands run diagonally, while on the skirt's bias-cut gores they run horizontally. The minute pin-tucks on the bodice, sleeves and skirt are hand sewn. This design is typical of the years following 1929, when flowing summer dresses in gossamer fabrics with floral prints were popular. Such delicate silks are extremely difficult to handle and sew, demanding a great deal of skill and patience. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.171-1964 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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