Black silk & lace with cord trim dress c.1917

Black silk & lace with cord trim dress c.1917 DR79

Condition: Very good

Price: $125

Measurements
Bust: 32” max.
Waist: 27” max.
Hip: 36” max.
Length: 46”
Sleeve length: 18”
Shoulder to waist: 14”
Shoulder seam-to-seam: 14”? (no seams, so this is my best guess for proper fit)
Label: none (someone, possibly the original owner, or a relative, attached a tag reading “1917”)

Description
Black silk and black lace--what more does a lady require? This dress from the late 1910’s, probably around 1917-18, has a body of fine black silk, trimmed all over with loops and spirals of silk cord. The neckline and sleeves have beautiful black lace sections (which unfortunately show some wear at the neck--see bodice close-up image--although the sleeves are intact). My favorite details of this lovely dress are the 3 pointed sections on the front of the skirt, trimmed with cording and lace insets. Decorative “buttons” of silk cord trim the center panel of the skirt. A wide sash draws in the high waistline, and fastens on one side with a cord “buckle” (it actually hooks underneath this decorative element). Under the sash, the dress unsnaps down the front of the bodice, and down one side of the skirt. A net under-bodice is the only lining. Each sleeve has a cord trimmed lace inset, similar to the ones on the skirt. In back, the dress has 2 lace appliqués and more lavish cord trim. The dress is in very good condition, with its only flaws being some loose cord trim, which could easily be reattached, and the tears in the lace at the neckline, which should probably be removed if the dress is to be worn. With garments of this era, I do not generally recommend wearing as an option. The silk and lace of this dress are in very good condition now, but if you choose to wear rather than display this delicate item, they may not remain so.