EVENING ENSEMBLE (DRESS, SLIP, AND CAPE)
Currently in storage
About this object
Low cut, tubular evening dress worn by Mrs. Post at Eleanor's debut dance at the Ritz Carlton. Dress is of sheer green silk chiffon with narrow shoulder straps and a flared skirt. Decorative mistletoe motifs of bugle beads, clear stones and pearls adorn the neckline, left hip and skirt. The skirt is comprised of twelve triangular shaped panels decoratively stitched in a "lettuce leaf" design with a scalloped lower edge. The dress is worn with a separate undergarment of pale green silk charmeuse with fine flesh tone lingerie straps. The left strap has been repaired with pink ribbon, possibly as reinforcement to allow for a corsage or pin. The undergarment is trimmed at top and hem with metal thread embroidery on flesh toned silk. Two center front godets are placed at knees. Garment fastens to dress with three snaps at left hip. A matching cape is constructed of sheer green silk lined with the silk charmeuse used for the undergarment. A shawl shaped collar of white fox fur closes with narrow 24" ties. The beaded "lettuce leaf" motifs of the dress are repeated on the outer cape. The interior of the cape is decorated with similar but smaller pieces of sheer silk which are not embellished with beading.
- Object name:
- EVENING ENSEMBLE (DRESS, SLIP, AND CAPE)
- Made from:
- Sheer silk chiffon -- silk charmeuse -- fox fur
- Made in:
- USA
- Date made:
- 1927
- Size:
- H. 47 in. (shoulder to hem front) (dress); H. 47 in. (shoulder to hem back) (dress); H. 36 in. (neck to hem front) (cape); H. 46 in. (neck to hem back) (cape); Dia. 67 in. (hem circumference) (cape)
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 48.50.1-3
- Signature marks:
- LABEL: Mme. Frances / INC. / Dressmakers / 10 West 56TH STREET / New York [in side seam of undergarment] LABEL: FRANCES & Co. / Mrs E F. Hutton / Marze / No. 1400 name and model number are handwritten in ink [under maker label in side seam of undergarment] LABEL: Mme. Frances / INC./ Dressmakers / 10 West 56TH STREET / New York [in cape at back neck]
- Credit line:
- Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973