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  • Coat Dress, about 1950

    Coat Dress, about 1950

    This is an interesting dress in that it appears to be a transitional late 1940s style. It includes features of prewar fashion such as the shoulder pads, but also has some of the fullness in the skirt characteristic of circa 1947 New Look styling. It was owned by Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine of Ann Arbor, MI. Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and rail…

  • Light grey silk cocktail or formal gown from the late 1940s to mid 1950s

    Light grey silk cocktail or formal gown from the late 1940s to mid 1950s

    This woman's light grey silk cocktail or formal gown has a flesh-colored yoke that is heavily beaded with pearls, rhinestones, and crystal. It has short sleeves, and a jewel neckline. The natural waistline is also outlined with two rows of beadwork. The skirt is gored and extremely full. It has an 11" hem, and attached petticoats of tan crepe and silk faced bottom interlined with horsehair. Back zipper and covered buttons with loop fastenings where chiffon begins. Worn by donor. Size 12. …

  • Women's ensemble with dress made of crepon from the 1940s

    Women's ensemble with dress made of crepon from the 1940s

    This woman's ensemble has a dress made of crepon with a geometric design of orange, green, purple, fuschia and white. Natural waistline. Wrist- length sleeves with light shoulder pads and two button cuffs. It buttons to the waist and has a side zipper. The U-shaped neckline is trimmed with a self ruffle. The skirt has 1/2" pleats sewn down 10". Knee length. There is a 1/4" wide self belt. It hs a matching purple, velveteen hip-length woman's jacket with lapels faced with the same lining mate…

  • Evening dress with a black crepe bodice and a pink and gold striped taffeta skirt from the 1940s

    Evening dress with a black crepe bodice and a pink and gold striped taffeta skirt from the 1940s

    This woman's evening dress has a black crepe bodice and a pink and gold striped taffeta skirt. It has padded shoulders and long, sleeves zippered at the wrist. The v-neck is repeated in the wide angle V of the waistline and stripes of the skirt. There is a side zipper. Label: 'Lizzette Mammoth, Book Bldg., Det.' "New York Creation, New York Dress Institute." Donor said she purchased dress at Walter's in Detroit in 1937, but it has the Mammoth label, and the NY Dress Institute wasn't organi…

  • Afternoon dress of brown silk crepe from the 1940s

    Afternoon dress of brown silk crepe from the 1940s

    This woman's afternoon dress of brown silk crepe has a fitted bodice with a deep waistline. There is a mock bow across the sheer brown yoke, and another bow around the drop waist with long ties hanging down the front. There is a back zipper, and the long sleeves have zippers at the cuffs. Label: "Howard Greer, Beverly Hills"

  • Women's forest green, wool gabardine suit from the 1940s

    Women's forest green, wool gabardine suit from the 1940s

    Woman's forest green, wool gabardine suit. The suit is single breasted and has an eight button front closing. The jacket is hip-length, and has padded shoulders, and long straight sleeves with turned-up button cuffs. Slash pockets are positioned at the hips. Lined, with side zipper, and a front placket. Labels: The J.L. Hudson Co., Detroit, and Davidow.

  • Women's two piece, deep taupe wool velour suit from the 1940s

    Women's two piece, deep taupe wool velour suit from the 1940s

    Woman's two piece, deep taupe wool velour suit. The hip-length jacket is fitted, and has padded shoulders, and long straight, set-in sleeves. Two horizontal piped, slash pockets are at the waist level. A single wooden button is at the waist closing. Brown braid trim is applied over the shoulders. The collarless jacket is lined in brown crepe. The A-line skirt has a 2" waistband, with a side zipper. The unlined skirt is below knee length. The suit was made for the donor, who was a millinar…

  • Women's two piece beige shantung suit from the 1940s

    Women's two piece beige shantung suit from the 1940s

    Woman's two piece beige shantung suit. The collarless cropped jacket has padded shoulders. Its long straight sleeves continue across the shoulders and bodice in a triangular shape. The jacket has insets of brown and gold raw silk at the chest, top of the front closing, and on the sleeves. The unlined, gored, A-line shirt has a high 3" wide waistband with a hook and eye closure. Side zipper. Raw silk brown and gold insets at the center front of the skirt, with two multi-color tabs at the wa…

  • Women's gray wool shirtwaist with round, notched collar from the 1940s

    Women's gray wool shirtwaist with round, notched collar from the 1940s

    This women's gray wool shirtwaist has a round, notched collar. Its center closing has four gray buttons, and cuffed, bracelet length dolman sleeves with a gusset under the arm. The skirt is cut on the bias, and is mid-calf in length. It has a peg-top, and a center zipper closing, with two darts front and back. A stiff self belt with buckle covered in mottled gray kid is lined with brown leather. The dress was worn by donor, a buyer for Hudson's, and was made by Irene of California.

  • Deep red wool Women's suit has two pieces from the late 1940s to early 1950s

    Deep red wool Women's suit has two pieces from the late 1940s to early 1950s

    This deep red wool woman's suit has two pieces. The single-breasted jacket has five covered buttons down the front and a small shawl collar. The long, straight sleeves have turned-back cuffs. Draped peplum on the back and sides is caught up with self-cords tipped in brass. The collar is also caught up with brass tipped cords. The skirt of below-knee length is a slightly flared "A" line. Labels: Irene, Hudson's Woodward Shops, Detroit

  • Collarless Lightweight Wool Tweed Day Coat, 1948

    Collarless Lightweight Wool Tweed Day Coat, 1948

    Light weight gray and white wool tweed day coat with inverted pleats on the back and pleated detailing on the front, no collar. This garment was owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

  • Lightweight Crepe Spring Day Coat with Scalloped Cuffs, 1948

    Lightweight Crepe Spring Day Coat with Scalloped Cuffs, 1948

    Light weight spring day coat of rust colored crepe, which was owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

  • Wool Jacket with Persian Lamb Collar and Edging, 1948

    Wool Jacket with Persian Lamb Collar and Edging, 1948

    Black wool jacket with collar and edging on the front of black Persian lamb. Each side of the front opening has quilted detailing of flower petals. This garment was owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.