Dress


Plaid gauze in brown, grey with alternating bands of blue and pink flowers. Lined with cambric. Sleeves pleated into a dropped shoulder. Long and full at the bottom. Trimmed with band of 2" selfmaterial which is slightly gathered to bottom of sleeve. Skirt pleated both in front and back and long in the back. Material slightly worn all over. Otherwise good condition; hooks missing down center front. Interesting fabric.

As skirts became wider, the weight was difficult, so there was an interest in new fabrics that would weigh less. A very fine wool thread was created and woven into a loose gauze. Later they combined wool gauze with silk to add strength and that fabric was barege. It coupled the deep matte colors of wool with the body and strength of silk. Because of the fine weave, the dresses deteriorate more quickly, so this is a rare example.


Provenance:
Keyes, Wilma B. Storrs, CT.

Construction Label:
Handmade



1951C 1850.70