1930s vintage art deco day dress by The White House, New Bond Street
1930s superbly tailored dress with Art Deco pintucked trim by The White House, 51 New Bond St, London.
Established in 1906 as a retailer of luxury white goods, I believe the brand produced fairly high end clothing up until they closed in the late 1990s.
(Most recently the address went on to house the Armani store, so you can imagine the location!)
Fabric is a moygashel type slubby linen, slightly opaque so may require a slip depending on your preferences!
The dress fastens to the side, with studs and a hook and eye to waist. Knife pleated inserts to front and rear, with pintucked deco detailing at head of inserts. This pintucking is echoed on the back faux yoke area, as well as the tailored rever collar and stylised front bodice patch pockets.
Sleeves feature pin tucking to sleeve edge, ending at pleat opening. I think my mannequins arms are a but too slippery, and these would appear slightly puffed on a body!
It’s such a classic design, which would be easy to dress up with some colourful deco accessories depending by on your mood.
Measures:
Bust 38” max flat
Waist actual is 30”, but best for 28” max so as not to stress openings
Hips 40”
Shoulder to hem total length 42”
Shoulder to waist 15 and a half “
Waist to hem 26”
Condition:
For a dress that’s not too far shy of a century old AND this pale, it’s really very good. There is a small scattering of marks near the side hem as shown, and one or two very small faint marks to the skirt. Very slight yellowing inside collar but I’m maybe being picky. Has been handwashed but I’ve not treated/spot cleaned anything specifically as nothing glaring. Generally clean and wearable as it comes, structurally very sound.
Dress has possibly been shortened/adjusted historically to accommodate late 1930s fashions/hem length - there is a deep hem should you wish to drop it.
Buttons are very similar but not identical, and all fairly period appropriate so not sure which came first! Have left as is.
