Navy Polka Dot Dress
Brief Item Record
Title: Navy Polka Dot Dress
Description: Four pieces, navy taffeta, navy mesh, off-white faille. Overdress (a) of navy mesh printed with off-white polka dots; deep-v neckline; shirtwaist silhouette with a-line ankle length skirt; falls at natural waist; semi-puff cap sleeves; small tears in shoulders and skirt; slight discoloration on sleeves. Sleeveless halter-neck dress (b) of navy taffeta printed with off-white polka dots; fit-and-flare silhouette; falls at natural waist; a-line ankle length skirt; 12 button closures along center back; stain at torso. Bolero (c) of navy taffeta printed with off-white polka dots; shawl collar; elbow-length puff sleeves; several holes and creases along collar. Collar (d) of off-white faille; self-lined; jewel closure.
Full Item Record
Dublin Core
Identifier
VC2014005
Title
Navy Polka Dot Dress
Description
Four pieces, navy taffeta, navy mesh, off-white faille. Overdress (a) of navy mesh printed with off-white polka dots; deep-v neckline; shirtwaist silhouette with a-line ankle length skirt; falls at natural waist; semi-puff cap sleeves; small tears in shoulders and skirt; slight discoloration on sleeves. Sleeveless halter-neck dress (b) of navy taffeta printed with off-white polka dots; fit-and-flare silhouette; falls at natural waist; a-line ankle length skirt; 12 button closures along center back; stain at torso. Bolero (c) of navy taffeta printed with off-white polka dots; shawl collar; elbow-length puff sleeves; several holes and creases along collar. Collar (d) of off-white faille; self-lined; jewel closure.
Subject
Clothing and dress
Extent
A: 26 inches (chest); 24 inches (waist); 34 inches (hips); 50 inches (center front length); 50 inches (center back length); 56 inches (hem circumference); 6.5 inches (armpit to waist)
B: 27 inches (chest); 26 inches (waist); 32 inches (hips); 49.5 inches (center front length); 56 inches (center back length); 76 inches (hem circumference) 9 inches (armpit to waist)
C: 43 inches (chest); 12 inches (center front length); 16.5 inches (center back length)
D: 11 inches (center front length); 11 inches (neck)
B: 27 inches (chest); 26 inches (waist); 32 inches (hips); 49.5 inches (center front length); 56 inches (center back length); 76 inches (hem circumference) 9 inches (armpit to waist)
C: 43 inches (chest); 12 inches (center front length); 16.5 inches (center back length)
D: 11 inches (center front length); 11 inches (neck)
Type
Physical Object
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Rights Holder
© Vassar College Costume Collection. Images in this collection may be used for teaching, classroom presentation, and research purposes only. For other reuse, reproduction and publication of these images, contact costumeshop@vassar.edu.
Costume Item Type Metadata
Cataloguer with Date
Ruby Pierce & Zofia Siwick. 9/12/14
Color Main
Color Secondary
Dress Type
Closure
Closure Placement
Neckline
Sleeve Type
Waistline
Skirt Type
Length
Costume Components
Chest
26
Waist
24
Hips
32
Center Front Length
50
Center Back Length
56
Measurements Other
11 inches (neck)
All Measurements
A: 26 inches (chest); 24 inches (waist); 34 inches (hips); 50 inches (center front length); 50 inches (center back length); 56 inches (hem circumference); 6.5 inches (armpit to waist)
B: 27 inches (chest); 26 inches (waist); 32 inches (hips); 49.5 inches (center front length); 56 inches (center back length); 76 inches (hem circumference) 9 inches (armpit to waist)
C: 43 inches (chest); 12 inches (center front length); 16.5 inches (center back length)
D: 11 inches (center front length); 11 inches (neck)
B: 27 inches (chest); 26 inches (waist); 32 inches (hips); 49.5 inches (center front length); 56 inches (center back length); 76 inches (hem circumference) 9 inches (armpit to waist)
C: 43 inches (chest); 12 inches (center front length); 16.5 inches (center back length)
D: 11 inches (center front length); 11 inches (neck)
Donor
Megan Brett
Date Earliest
1940
Date Latest
1950
Culture
Gender
Classification
costume
clothing
Condition Term
good
Condition Description
The over-dress has a few tears near the shoulder and on the skirt. It also has holes and slight discoloration along the sleeve. The dress has a stain on the torso, as well as some holes that appear to be caused by moths. The bolero has holes and some creasing along the collar. The separate collar shows some signs of discoloration/yellowing. The polka-dot print is fading on all three pieces.
Mannequin
Esther
Storage Location
G6
Holding Institution
Citation
“Navy Polka Dot Dress,” Vassar College Costume Collection, accessed June 8, 2025, https://vccc.vassarspaces.net/items/show/4480.