Afternoon Dress

This afternoon dress reflects the typical silhouette of the 1940s, during which time war time material shortages demanded a shorter, fabric-saving line. The masculine, wide shoulder is complicated by feminine draping and ruffles. The bodice with V-shaped neckline has a smooth insert at the front that reaches to below the waist and closes with six self-covered buttons. The shirred top, which is worked smoothly in the back, begins to the side of this. The sleeves are fitted and close at the forearm with a short zip. Below the waist a wide valance frill frames the front insert and beneath this the short skirt, laid in folds, closes with a zipper. A narrow belt that ties in the back marks the waist and the hip is emphasized by a ruffle bandeau at the front. This piece illustrates the romantic-dramatic style cultivated by Robert Piguet. Born in Switzerland, he founded his Paris fashion house in 1933 after training as a bank clerk.