#2339 $1,850
Beaded tulle over dress, c.1910
Many vintage clothing aficionados were first drawn to collecting by the beauty of early textiles. Antique beading has a subtlety not seen today because the beads themselves are different. Unlike their modern descendants, antique glass beads have rounded edges that do not snag and scratch.
Fashioned from white cotton tulle, the overdress is finely embellished with faux pearls, gold seed beads, and silver cut beads (both long and short.)
Over dresses are perennial favorites because they are so versatile. You can wear this one over a white slip for a wedding dress or over a gold slip for an eye catching evening dress. I photographed our dress over a pale peach slip as well as a white slip. The dress closes in back with hooks and snaps.
The designer uses highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms (4th picture down) in a memorable Art Nouveau design. The contrast between the quiet mystery of the sinuous, exotic motif and the bold brilliance of the materials (faux pearls and gold seed beads) is an aesthetic triumph.
Here is a dress (1st picture down) for a stylish, self-confident hostess whose manner is as distinguished as her dress. Indeed, this over dress combines charm, dignity, indeed majesty and mystery, in equal proportions.
The condition is excellent. It is clean and ready to wear.
It measures: 40" bust, 30" waist, 40" hip, 13" sleeve length, 16 1/2" from the shoulder to the waist, and 56" from the shoulder to the front hem.
