Smithsonian - National Museum of American History, Behring Center
 


Costume Collection - Women's Dresses

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Dress, 1-Piece - click to enlarge

Dress, 1-Piece - click to enlarge

Dress, 1-Piece - click to enlarge

Click photos to enlarge.

Dress, 1-Piece

Catalogue number: CS*046855

Date: 1920-1924

Maker: Julius Garfinckel and Company

Description:

Evening; red creped georgette with woven silver metallic geometric and floral pattern; round neck, lower in front than back; sleeveless; edges of neck and armscye (armhole) faced with light red georgette; back has hanging panel from neck to waist, gathered at neck edge; dropped waist seam; separate inset band around hips that is asymetrical at lower edge, curving up at right side; shirred skirt with four rows of shirring, attached to bottom of inset; skirt overlaps at right side so that panel hangs free; lower portion of skirt of silver metallic lace; two rosettes of self-fabric and hanging panel of silver metallic lace attached at right hip; off-white georgette slip, sewn to dress at shoulders and waistband seams, that extends to bottom of georgette portion of skirt.

Background:

The donor wore this dress to a White House function in Washington, D.C., in the early 1920s. This could have been either during the Warren Harding or Calvin Coolidge administrations. Her husband was a local banker and they were probably active in Washington society. She purchased the dress at a fashionable local department store, Julius Garfinckel and Company, called "Garfinckel's" by local residents.

Credit: Gift of Mrs. George Meem

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