When Holly at Lucitebox sent me the link to her first pictures of this marvel, I think I probably voiced an expletive. Maybe even two. I mean — really! It's GREEN VELVET, fabric of the god(desse)s. With lace sleeves. From the 1930s. In perfect condition (okay, it's missing ONE BUTTON). This dress is poetry, isn't it? Velvet poetry. Click on the picture to see all of Holly's great close-ups … the sleeves, especially, are not to be missed.
But that's not my favorite thing about it — my favorite thing is the label. Check this out:
Negligee SECTION! Not even DEPARTMENT — SECTION. I love the idea of the Negligee Section workers, in their hard hats and chiffon robes, clocking in. Trooping silently into the Negligee mines. Going to a meeting and hearing the five-year Negligee Section production plan. Electing a Negligee Section Section Leader.
Oh, Marshall Field's, we miss you already. Give the lady what she wants! From the Negligee Section!
A Dress A Day 
*drools* I love 1930’s dresses. I will be copying photos of this one to add to the idea folder.Amy
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I saw that yesterday! Those sleeves, that lace, that velvet! I want to learn how to do lace inset like that!
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Ahh, the casualties of homogenization.
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This is nothing short of breathtaking – a fantasy in velvet and lace.
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*Whimper* what really sucks is that about five years ago, I could actually have worn this gown. And I would, I would, I would. I don’t want to have to copy this dress, I want to buy it and wear it. Now, please.(Erin, whatever the Give the Lady What She Wants is supposed to link to, it isn’t working – at least, not on my machine.)
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Congratulations on making the top ten list of sewing blogs!!!
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Bella, thanks! Fixed now. It’s a link to a wonderful book on the history of Field’s Dept. Store, called, of course, Give the Lady What She Wants.
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Ahem – still waiting for the promised photos of the new sewing space – a not so subtle hint.
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So because this is a negligee, does this means it was meant to be worn around the house in the evening, like, when I wear sweatpants and my husband’s old tee shirts? It really makes you think….
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Oh, I miss Field’s too. My “replacement” Macy’s card came in the mail. I may frame that old green card! At this moment, I’m living far from Chicago, so I didn’t have to see the signs change–although I hear that the folks from NY tried to change the door signs and ended up “renaming” the streets.Nancy
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Erin, I curse you for posting this dress. It is really one of the most beautiful things I have seen in a long time, and something that could really tip my irrational mind to win over the part that says. “but where would you wear it?”.
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Totally romantic Hollywood. I don’t know if it would look as fetching on me if worn while channel surfing. It needs a martini and a long cigarette holder and high-heeled velvet slippers, oh and BetteDavis eyes.
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Lady of Shallot!Erin you are a word Goddess. I kept trying to come up with a renaissance or medieval referance to describe this dress.Pre Raphaelite was all I could think of.It really is beautiful….
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This dress is absolutely lovely. But the “Lady of Shalott” reference immediately made the lace sleeves look [in my mind] like mold creeping up her cold, dead arms. Ick.
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Becky, my grandmother was a Negligee Section lady for decades, and she went home and wore flannel pjs and wool socks to bed… So it’s OK to enjoy sweats :-).Great dress, but I’m fascinated, technically, with the closing. What a novel idea, what a great way to have drape without untoward peeps…
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Yes, Marie-Christine, isn’t that an interesting way to do the draped neckline? I would think that this construction, with a real neckline underneath, eliminates a lot of the technical difficulties of designing and sewing that draping.
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Wow!!! that is beautiful!!! Yes this negligee needs a martini to go with it. It’s very Jean Harlow 1930’s hollywood.
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Great catch on the label. I’ve passed it/you/the dress/etc. all on to my readers…what a delight. Thank you.
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