Dress and belt

A good local or home dressmaker probably made this black rayon overdress. She may have used a ready-made pattern or had a flair for unusual and decorative effects. She has created a bold, purely decorative pattern using bright red buttons and parallel rows of braid. Each tiny detail is repeated to create an arresting, geometric design in striking colours. The overall effect is an almost military look.

Ivory, bone and shell buttons had become scarce in Europe after the First World War (1914-1918). Machine-made wooden buttons were an inexpensive alternative and could be used in large quantities.