EVENING ENSEMBLE

Creator(s): Unknown

Currently in storage

About this object

One-piece evening gown with a dropped waist and pointed bodice. The bodice has a sweetheart neckline in front and a square shape across the back. The garment is built on a sleeveless gray taffeta foundation with an overlay of light gray embroidered cotton lace with large, open weave fillings. Shoulders are extended with horsehair shoulder pads typical of the forties. Long lace sleeves close with five covered buttons. Narrow, interior shoulder straps provide additional support for the bodice. The skirt is composed of a full-length taffeta underskirt, a full length smoke colored mylon overskirt with a wide horsehair banded hem, and a top layer of the same nylon with a banded hem. The skirt is completed by an exagerated peplum, short in front and full length in back, in the embroidered lace. The neckline, sleeve hem and peplum are finished with the manufactured edge of the lace. The garment closes at the side with a metal zipper.

Object name:

EVENING ENSEMBLE

Made from:

Taffeta (man-made) -- cotton embroidered lace -- nylon

Made in:

USA

Date made:

1942-1947

Size:

H. 15 1/2 in. (shoulder to waist front); H. 16 in. (shoulder to waist back); Dia. 27 in. (waist circumference); H. 42 in. (waist to hem front); H. 44 in. (waist to hem back); Dia. 280 in. (hem circumference)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

48.96

Signature marks:

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973