Evening dress

Unknown

ca. 1932 · silk · Costume Institute

After the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the era of the flapper was put to rest, the hemlines dropped and the waistline rose. A slim figure was still in vogue but this was accented by the bias-cut dress, low backs, and deep V-necks at front. The 1930s was full of glamour and with the growing popularity of the cinema, women turned to their favorite actresses for wardrobe inspiration. This evening dress evokes the idea of a chic evening. The bodice construction is inventive and daring, with its low cut and knot at front. The skirt itself is a tour de force of beadwork and would catch the light when in movement, enhancing its visual appeal.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1932

Medium

silk

Culture

probably American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Lucius Boomer, 1956