#2123 $650
Peasant style hand-embroidered dress, c.1930
If you are a regular visitor to Vintage Textile, you know of my high opinion of fine hand embroidery, a major art form. I have a special affection for the pristine purity of whitework. Without the enhancement of color, a whitework design depends solely on creative combinations of texture.
Peasant style sheer cotton dresses with hand smocking were all the rage in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Since then the combination of smocking and hand-embroidered whitework has maintained its appeal. In fact, the vogue for peasant style dress is much older. After the French Revolution when the Directory took over (1795), simple peasant "Rousseauesque" styles were ultrafashionable.
The dress is fashioned from sheer white cotton voile with just a hint of pale gray. There was probably more color at one time. The fine hand embroidery features a nice textural variety of stitches and open work.
The fullness is controlled at the shoulders and waist with hand smocking. I love the fluttery faux sleeves, which are so cool and comfortable on a hot day. The dress closes on the side with snaps.
The condition is almost excellent. On the back skirt is a small, pale spot hidden in the folds. It will not show when the dress is worn.
It measures: 42" bust, 33" waist, 16" from the shoulder to the top of the waistband smocking, 15 1/4" from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, and 52" from the shoulder to the hem.
