1930s Champagne Hand-made Lace Dress

This 1930s champagne-colored dress is made of what appears to be handmade lace. Two chain-stitched thread belt loops reveal that it originally had a belt, possibly made from a backed band of the lace, held in place with a buckle also covered in the lace. Underneath, a simple silk slip of the same color, which is also missing, was probably worn.

The dress has balloon sleeves, which are gathered into a tight, peaked cuff. The dress fastens on the left side seam. In the back there are three small lace-covered buttons fastening an opening to the waist. In the front the neckline runs straight across to the shoulders.

The waistline of the dress is at the natural waist but rises to a point 3 inches higher at the center front and back. There are three tucks in the bodice on either side of the point in front. The skirt consists of four gores, two at center front and back, and two at the sides. The center panels are pointed at the top to meet the rise in the waist seam.

Project by Amanda Hammer
Professor: Kathryn Rohe
Spring, 1998