Blouse - 1950s French Gold Overlay & Crystal-Cut Glass

$1,386.00

Elegant metallic gold printing on this 1950s French cotton print -- and 1930s German crystal-cut buttons -- quickly catch the eye. This shirt is designed to be worn either tucked or untucked. The contrast between its luxe finishings and classic modern silhouette make it a highly versatile piece, for casual or formal settings. Begging to be worn with this season's statement denim.

Fabric

1950s cotton with gold overlay — used on this fabric to create the gold background. Overlay was a brand new textile technology in the 50s, when, Of course, the French were also at the forefront of the fashionable world in the wake of Dior’s “New Look”. I purchased this fabric from a museum dealer in New York City.

The floral pattern used in this fabric is called an “all over tossed” pattern because the flowers are closely packed without direction. The black outline around the flowers is indicative of prints in the 1950s.

Buttons

1930s German crystal-cut buttons — likely made just before World War II. The buttons are made of glass and their backs are hand-painted in gold to mimic a gold ring setting.

Sizing Details

This blouse is a Medium, which means it is designed to accommodate U.S. sizes 2 through 8. View our detailed size chart and int'l sizes here. The measurements of this specific garment accommodate a bust of up to 40" and a waist of up to 35". It is 24" long in the front and 27" long in the back.

Elegant metallic gold printing on this 1950s French cotton print -- and 1930s German crystal-cut buttons -- quickly catch the eye. This shirt is designed to be worn either tucked or untucked. The contrast between its luxe finishings and classic modern silhouette make it a highly versatile piece, for casual or formal settings. Begging to be worn with this season's statement denim.

Fabric

1950s cotton with gold overlay — used on this fabric to create the gold background. Overlay was a brand new textile technology in the 50s, when, Of course, the French were also at the forefront of the fashionable world in the wake of Dior’s “New Look”. I purchased this fabric from a museum dealer in New York City.

The floral pattern used in this fabric is called an “all over tossed” pattern because the flowers are closely packed without direction. The black outline around the flowers is indicative of prints in the 1950s.

Buttons

1930s German crystal-cut buttons — likely made just before World War II. The buttons are made of glass and their backs are hand-painted in gold to mimic a gold ring setting.

Sizing Details

This blouse is a Medium, which means it is designed to accommodate U.S. sizes 2 through 8. View our detailed size chart and int'l sizes here. The measurements of this specific garment accommodate a bust of up to 40" and a waist of up to 35". It is 24" long in the front and 27" long in the back.

 

ABOUT THIS PIECE

1950 French metallic gold cotton & 1930s German glass crystal buttons

 
 
 

Gold metallic floral print, with white flowers and black outlines, on a classic cotton shirting weight. Works for day and night.

Designed & made in Houston, Texas

 
 
 

 
 
 
Blouse - 19th C. American Silk Cotton
$1,386.00

American cotton, 19th C., elegantly paired with blue-green American mother of pearl c. 1920-40. The pattern is an abstract leaf print that is so modern it's hard to believe it was printed 120 years ago. This piece is ideal for day, and can be worn to work under a blazer or with a high-waisted skirt, and for cocktails with a sparkling earring to bring out the luminscence of this finely woven fabric.

Fabric

Purple silk cotton from the 1800s, which was found in excellent condition in a building in north Philadelphia (on Frankford Avenue just south of Lehigh), wrapped in late 19th century newspapers, from an old seamstress’ shop.

Buttons

Blue-green dyed mother of pearl buttons made from shells mined from the Mississippi River out of Washington, Iowa between the 1920s and 40s. America — Muscatine, Iowa in particular — was the pearl button capital of the world until the 1950s. Shells were mined right out of the Mississippi River. Called “toe digging”, everyday men and women could go down to the river, wade around, gather shells and take them to the manufacturer for payment. The industry died with the technological innovation of plastic.

Sizing Details

This blouse is a Medium, which means it is designed to accommodate U.S. sizes 2 through 8. View our detailed size chart and int'l sizes here. The measurements of this specific garment accommodate a bust of up to 40” and a waist of up to 35”. It is 25” long in the front and 26” long in the back.