#2228 $850
Beaded crepe cocktail dress, 1940s
This Hollywood style dress has the built-up shoulders made popular by MGM designer Adrian in his designs for Joan Crawford (Letty Lynton,1932). The style really took hold after America entered WWII. The shoulder pads signified the woman who lives her life to the full, the self-made woman.
The hard line of the shoulders is softened by the softly draped sleeves and outrageous bare midriff. The bias-cut skirt peplum flares to a deep "V" in back. The dress is fashioned from white rayon crepe and is decorated with bands of clear crystal beading with accents of pale amber beads. The dress closes in back with a metal zipper. The straight skirt has a small slit at the center-back hem.
The dress brings to mind Veronica Lake in the 1940s film noir, The Blue Dahlia. She plays the beautiful, mysterious stranger meeting Alan Ladd for the first time. Her memorable line was "Practically all the people I know were strangers when I first met them." But they won't forget her—or you in this dress!
The condition is almost excellent. I found a few pale smudges. They are not a problem because they are barely visible and do not spoil the appearance of the dress.
The size is small. It measures: 35" bust, 25" waist, 36" hip, 16 1/23" from the shoulder to the waist, and 51" from the shoulder to the hem.
