Evening gown with pink decorative motif, ca. 1940
Maine Historical Society
Fashions from the Great Depression years range from attractive basic day, to evening wear inspired by the cinema. The large number and variety of long 1930s dresses preserved in the collection are a reminder that it was still customary to wear long dresses for special, evening and theater occasions. Full-length Hollywood influenced gowns include a black chiffon with a spaghetti-strap bodice ornamented with a diamanté broach, flared hem skirt, and short sleeved little top trimmed with white lace.
Among other representative examples there is a slim fully lined, black and multi-colored floral print chiffon with a shoulder cape; a tubular black rayon crepe with a bright pink belt, pink decorative bodice motif and skirt feature at one side; a square shouldered yellow textured heavy rayon crepe with a beaded inset waistband and drape detail; and a rust wide shouldered textured heavy rayon crepe with a sequined bodice styled with an open back and left hip drape detail.