Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - June 23, 1985
By Susie Dewey
Vigo County Historical Society

And a grand time was had by all...

The rose chiffon evening dress in the dressmaker's shop in the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., may have been worn to the grand opening of the new Terre Haute House July 6, 1928.

The origin of the dress in not known. It is obvious that the unknown owner possessed exquisite taste and was aware of fashion trends.

The rose chiffon varies in color subtly from the bodice to the very modish, uneven hem. The skirt consists of three panels of two-layered fabric. The long bodice narrows to a "v" in the front of the skirt.

Falling from the "v" to the hemline is a band of crystal seed and bugle beads. Each side of the skirt has a similar band of such work. Time has dulled the crystal beads. They appear to have been opaque rather than sparkling as rhinestones would have been.

The intricate design of the bodice, both front and back, must have required good eyesight and low labor costs. Chiffon already beaded could be purchased. Such fabric was very costly because it was imported from France. The dress's owner evidently did not hesitate to spend money on such fine fabrics.

The skirt probably ended between the knee and the ankle. By 1927 the era of the really short skirt was ending.

The shortest skirts of the 1920s seem very decorous today. After all, the mini-skirts of the past decade were really short.

In 1927 manufacturers of fabric urged designers to create styles using more fabric lest the textile industry suffer. The flowing lines and double and triple-layered skirts and the uneven hem that dipped in the back probably were in response to these requests.

The lines of women's styles in the flaming 1920s were straight and slim. Necklines on evening gowns were either round or square.

The rounded neckline of the rose dress is banded with chiffon and ornamented with a band of beading. The dress is demurely sleeveless and fastens on the left side with carefully placed hooks and eyes and snaps.

The undergarments worn under such a dress deserve a story to themselves.

With this dress the lady wore a green satin belt around the low waistline. The rolled cord belt looped loosely and left two ends of about 8 inches each. Holding the belt was an artificial flower of variegated roses and buds at the left hip. Green leaves surrounded the flower. One end of the belt ended in artificial rosebuds; the other held a metallic mesh heart. The colors have faded, but the details of the ornaments are still evident. Even the stamens of the flower, perhaps a hibiscus, resemble nature exactly.

The return of the longer skirt marked the return of a softer more romantic look. In 1928 skirts became longer and fuller and waistlines were rising to a normal position.

Flesh-colored stockings appeared in 1924. The owner of such a dress would have worn either black patent leather dancing shoes or silk shoes dyed to match the dress. Her beaded bag would have been small; either black or rose-colored.

After the elaborate dinner at the Terre Haute House, she would have danced to the music of Bud Cromwell's orchestra. Anna Bower Wiley, a society reporter for the Terre Haute Star, listed the distinguished guests by name and described the ladies gowns. Paul Bogard addressed the group. A new song written especially for the occasion was introduced, and the party ended decorously.

Then perhaps, the young lady slipped away to a Terre Haute speakeasy or road house.