1920-1922 Dress


Date: ca. 1920-1922 - Material: Unbleached Cotton - Accession: 2001.191.0001.0278

During WWI, when women once again began expanding their public roles, skirts became shorter and bodices looser to allow for comfortable movement. By 1912, women were beginning to tuck their hair under with a ribbon and by 1915, Ladies Home Journal featured women with short hair.

Following the war, hemlines became even shorter. This mid-calf length dress with straight loose lines shows the influence of French designer Paul Pioret’s Asian inspired dress form and motif beginning ten years earlier.

Donated to the University of Illinois Bevier Historic Costume Collection . Property transfer to the Illinois State Museum, 2001.