1915 Dress

Date: ca. 1915 - Material: Wool - Accession: 2001.191.0001.0136

During World War I, dress styles sometimes reflected military lines. This dress has a square collar resembling a sailor’s middy and tailored pin stripe fabric. It is softened, however, by a lace inset at the neckline and made modest with a stand up collar.

Although the “hobble skirt” with its extremely narrow circumference at the ankle became popular in 1914, skirts widened during the War to a more utilitarian width. This dress is cut fairly loosely providing a generous freedom of movement.

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