Dress

More Information: The 1920s are generally seen as a period of economic prosperity, with innovations in mass-production and fast fashion, the rise of the department store, and the onset of mass media marketing, each of which aided in the frenzy of consumerism. However, not many could afford atelier clothing, and even the ready-made department store or catalog company dresses were out of reach for some. This yellow linen dress is an example of an imitation of popular styles seen in McCall’s, the Delineator, and even Harper’s Bazaarfor the summer of 1924. Its simple design is enhanced with elements of drawn thread work, embroidery, and color block patterns – all of which add variety to the otherwise plain garment. Drawn thread work, also known as pulled work, was popular for homemade dresses as it was a cheaper alternative to lace, and could be accomplished with time and patience. This technique involved removing certain threads in order to create patterns out of the negative space.