AFTERNOON DRESS

Creator(s): Thurn (Designer)

Currently in storage

About this object

This narrow, tubular dress with dropped waistline is typical of the new silhouette of the 1920s. The dress would have been worn at different times of day for activities such as a luncheon or tea, dinner or dancing, or an evening at the theater.

Tubular, drop waisted afternoon dress with three-quarter length, bell-shaped sleeves. Bands of cotton and metallic gold thread in a brocade design decorate the waist and sleeves. Decorative bands of pleated velvet extend from shoulder to dropped waist. A back panel of the same fabric, beginning at shoulder and back of neck, hangs in a blousant effect and is secured by gathering at waist. The gathered, silk velvet skirt is lined with a blue gauze silk crêpe. A separate silk charmuese undergarment is handstitched to the dress at the waist and secured at the shoulder with lingerie straps. A velvet covered paper belt was originally attached to the dress at side hip. The belt fastens with a metal closure. The exotic nature of the dress suggests that perhaps it was made for a particular event or excursion. Both belt and dress have been altered to be smaller than original size.

Object name:

AFTERNOON DRESS

Made from:

Silk jersey (?) -- silk velvet -- silk crêpe -- metallic thread

Made in:

USA

Date made:

1920-1923

Size:

H. 23 in. (shoulder to waist front); H. 22 in. (shoulder to waist back); H. 22 1/2 in. (waist to hem front); H. 22 1/2 in. (waist to hem back); Dia. 38 in. (waist circumference)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

48.49.1-2

Signature marks:

LABEL: Thurn / NEW YORK PARIS [on side seam of undergarment] LABEL: MRS E HUTTON X26S478 [typed with a label maker on side seam of undergarment]

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973