Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Adella S. Smolensky
(American, 1909 - 2001)
RetailerProbably sold by
R. L. Birnbaum's
(American)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1936
MediumMachine-stitched silk
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center front length x width across shoulders): 82 x 15 1/2in. (208.3 x 39.4cm)
Other (Sleeve length): 27in. (68.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Joan Briggaman and Janice Kaval
Object number2001.51.4.1
DescriptionThis bias cut off-white silk satin wedding dress has a 25-inch long train. The long sleeves are very full and are gathered into a long cuff. At the shoulderline, the sleeve fabric is pleated into 1/2-inch wide repeating pleats. The underarm area of each sleeve is flat. The cuffs are 9 3/4-inches long. They come to a point at the top center of the wearer's hand. The underside of each sleeve is secured with five 3/8-inch self-fabric covered buttons along 3 1/2 inch plackets. On the opposite side of the plackets, there are five self-fabric button loops. The neckline of the dress is cut straight, from shoulder to shoulder, forming a boat neckline. An inverted "V" has been sewn into the center front of the garment, accentuating the bustline. The point falls 8 1/2 inches from the center neckline, and the sides fall eight inches from the botton center of the armscyes, along the side seams.
On the back of the dress, beginning eight inches from the bottom of each armscye at the side seam, another "V" shape occurs. The lowest point of this "V" is found twenty inches from the center back neckline. The twenty inch placket at the center back is closed with nineteen 3/8-inch self-fabric covered buttons; sixteen of them are located between ten to twenty inches from the neckline on the right side of the placket. The last three fall 1 to 2 1/2 inches from the neckline. On the left side of the placket, there are self-fabric button loops, matching up with the buttons.
NotesHistorical Note: Adella S. Smolensky (1909-2001) married John M. Sliva (about 1910-1996) 30 May 1936 in Holy Cross Church in New Britain, Connecticut.On the back of the dress, beginning eight inches from the bottom of each armscye at the side seam, another "V" shape occurs. The lowest point of this "V" is found twenty inches from the center back neckline. The twenty inch placket at the center back is closed with nineteen 3/8-inch self-fabric covered buttons; sixteen of them are located between ten to twenty inches from the neckline on the right side of the placket. The last three fall 1 to 2 1/2 inches from the neckline. On the left side of the placket, there are self-fabric button loops, matching up with the buttons.
Status
Not on view
