Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
At the turn of the 20th century, the newly fashionable silhouette took the form of an S-curve. This sinuous shape was achieved through rigid corsetry which constricted the abdomen, thrust the chest forward, and forced the shoulders and rear backwards. Day dresses had very high necks and the bosom was undefined and full, often drooping over the waistline. These “pouter pigeon breast”--or monobosom-- bodices often featured wide collars that dropped off the shoulders. Skirts were slim at the hip, with any fullness confined to below the knee. The skirt of this dress is shaped with pleats which would have caused the hemline to flare when in motion, calling attention to the wearer as she walked. Garment decoration most often took the form of large and small tucks, buttons, lace insertions, and hem ruffles. Soft flowing fabrics, like the fluid silk of this dress, and paler colors were more fashionable than in the last decade of the 19th century.