This striking 1930s black silk crepe gown with embroider kimono style sleeves is in superb vintage condition with some lovely design features. The dress is a designed to be a lose fit and is reminiscent of the flapper style however there are details on the bodice to accentuate the bust which deviate from the traditional flapper dress. There is a large triangular insert on the bodice graduating to a point at the centre bust defined by piped seams and smaller inverted triangular inserts on each hip below the slightly dropped waistline. Gentle pleats sympathetic to the angle of the V neckline are gathered into the slanted seams on the bodice. The bodice is sleeveless and the kimono sleeves are formed from triangular shaped stretches of fabric stitched over the shoulders with dense shirring and falling over the arms following the line of the elbow. These are cut away under the arms for freedom of movement with a small opening in the seams for the hand and wrists to slip through. There is an embroidered design in black and ivory swirls embellishing each sleeve the follows the angular line of the fabric. The dress is unlined and without fastenings, so can be slipped easily over the head. With a formal but deeply bohemian aesthetic, this unusual piece would fit up to a US size 10, UK size 14.
MEASUREMENTS:
BUST - 40 in. (101.6 cm)
WAIST - 37 in. (93.98 cm)
HIP - 38 in. (96.52 cm)
LENGTH - 51.5 in. (130.81 cm)
