Evening Dress

This is a black evening dress made of silk crêpe. The dress has a full-length skirt with a knee-length overskirt and sash belt, black on one side, gold on the other. The long pleated and flared sleeves are split to the elbow revealing gold coloured satin lining. A large gold flower is applied to the right shoulder. The dress fastens with gold coloured fabric buttons at the back of the neck.

The maker of this dress is unknown; it dates to circa 1936. During the 1930s Hollywood film spread the appeal of a glamorous, sensuous look for eveningwear. Black was one of the most fashionable colours of the decade and new metallic fabrics were also very popular.