Description
This late 1910s, circa WWI-era black wool and cotton day dress features the looser, more natural silhouette that became popular at the time, after the more corseted shape of the Edwardian era went out of fashion. The dress is made of lightweight black wool with a plush, almost velvety texture. Although a single piece, the dress is constructed to mimic a jacket and skirt or suit. The boxy, cardigan-style “jacket” overlaps the slightly high, fitted waist finished with a with grosgrain waistband. Its straight sleeves have turned back cuffs. Below the black cotton underbodice and “jacket”, the skirt section of the dress has an extra-long peplum t the back and sides, draped over the moderately narrow, ankle-length skirt underneath. The edges of the faux-jacket and peplum are both trimmed with twisted black (silk?) satin braid. More braid trim and some very early plastic buttons with a lovely geometric design trim the trompe l’oeil sash, back waist panel. An additional bodice panel or detachable “dicky” would have been worn at the center front, over the black cotton underbodice, but is not present. The dress fastens at the waist with hooks and snaps. The “jacket snaps onto the underbodice on 1 side—the other side is missing its snaps, and has a small tear where 1 of them must have been attached. The underbodice fastens in front with hooks and eyes; 1 of the hooks is rusty (see close-up photo). The twisted trim is faded in several spots, but sturdy. There is a small area of pale marks, a tiny hole, and few missing stitches on the skirt near the back hem, only visible on close inspection (see photo). The skirt peplum was taken up at some point, and has a faint line visible where the fabric was folded for many years. Overall, this over 100-year-old, antique 1910s dress is in good condition, certainly wearable with care—and with a front bodice overlayer added.
Size: XS to S. Smallest fit at shoulders.
- Bust: 37 inches flat, to fit a bit loosely up to 35.5 inches.
- Waist: 29.5 inches flat, to fit a bit loosely up to 28 inches.
- Hip: 43 inches flat, to fit loosely for up to 40 inches.
- Length: 52 inches from back of neck to hem.
- Underarm to high waist: 6 inches at sides (slightly longer in back).
- Waist to hem: 36 inches.
- Sleeve: 22 inches.
- Shoulder to shoulder: 13.5 inches (XS).
- Label: none.
