1910 Cotton Frock

Another cream colored, one-piece dress from the very early 1910s made of a cotton batiste. Yellowing over time has probably caused the color of this dress, likely once white. White was the most popular color for ladies dresses in this decade. 
This dress has fitted 3/4 length kimono style sleeves, which means that the sleeves and bodice are cut out of the same piece of fabric, not sewn together. Fitted sleeves appeared in 1910, as did the kimono style. The higher neckline of this garment is another good indicator that it was worn early in the decade, before necklines made their dramatic drop, around 1914. The looser fit of this garment would also put it very early in the decade, likely no later than 1911, as this is the year narrow tube-like skirts became the norm. 
Decorations include off center bodice ruffles,  pintucks on the bodice and skirt (1/4 apart on bodice and upper skirt, 1/2 apart on lower skirt) and large horizontal tucks to look like trim at the hem; there are 4 rows. The front decoration is made of a machine made diamond ground lace, which is also used at the waist line and along the skirt and sleeve cuffs. The ruffles are a net trimmed with machine made lace.
The only fastenings on this dress are the buttons up the back; the dress fastens from the neck to bellow the waist. Buttoning up the back was another convention that began around 1910.
Overall this dress is in good shape, and the fabric is holding up well, but there are a few stains on the shoulders, front and hem of the garment on top of the fact that the whole piece is slightly discolored.
Measurements
Bust: 35.5"
Waist: 30"
Hips: 50"
Neck to Waist Front and Back: 11.5/11.5"
Armscye to Armscye Front and Back: 24/16.5"
Skirt Length: 34.5"


Blog Post By Kelsey Oliver