1925 Dress

Date: ca. 1925 - Material: Chiffon - Accession: 2001.191.0001.0229

In the 1920s, conservative dress was such as this one was fairly widespread. Many dresses fell at mid-calf with loose lines camouflaging the figure. Although lines were straight, women were slow to abandon corsets altogether. Foundation garments supported women’s bodies, rather than molding them into shapes.

This long sleeve chiffon print dress is is lined with a peach rayon fabric. There is a hint of a drop waist dress where the ruching ends on the bodice and first tier of draped fabric meets. The tiered skirt has scalloped flounces cut on a bias. This style is sometimes called a handkerchief dress because the hemline comes to points like a handkerchief.

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