Housedress
Dress
1940-1950
Blue
Synthetic blend
43 in. (bust), 32 in. (waist), 48 in. (hip)
2013.10
This short-sleeve women’s housedress, made from light blue linen, has a center front button placket and turn-back cuffs. Contrasting white piping decorates the collar and patch pockets at the breast and hip. The pockets also feature applied decoration of machine-appliqued chevron and star motifs which were added for a theatrical production. The dress is fitted with bust and waist darts and two side front pleats in the skirt. The white plastic buttons have a shiny finish which appears to have abraded over time. Two belt loops at the side seams hold a matching self-fabric belt.
Inside the garment the facings are pressed under, and the seams have a pinked edge. In the 1940s and 50s sewing machines that cut a pinked edge as they stitched were available for the manufacturer and the home sewer.
-Huard
