Dinner DressCharles Frederick Worth · 1892

Identification of the Dinner Dress

The Dinner Dress is a garment created by the designer Charles Frederick Worth. This piece is a type of dress that dates to about 1892. It is currently held within the collection of The Kyoto Costume Institute in Kyoto, Japan.

The work is an example of late nineteenth-century fashion. It features a specific silhouette characterized by large sleeves and a pattern of scattered chrysanthemums. This particular design reflects the Japonism style prevalent during the period.

Visual Description and Style

The garment is an off-white silk satin ensemble featuring a scattered chrysanthemum pattern across the textile. This motif substantiates the Japonism style prevalent during the period. The silhouette is defined by large velvet gigot sleeves, also referred to as elephant sleeves, which create significant volume at the arms. Lace decoration is applied to the cuffs and the collar of the dress.

The design reflects the aesthetic of the Japonism movement through its specific use of botanical imagery. The chrysanthemum pattern is distributed throughout the fabric rather than being concentrated in a single area. The construction utilizes heavy velvet for the sleeves to contrast with the lighter silk satin of the main body. The lace elements at the neck and wrists provide a textural distinction from the smooth silk and the plush velvet.

Materials and Construction Details

The primary textile of this garment is an off-white silk satin. A woven chrysanthemum pattern is integrated throughout the fabric, creating a repeating motif across the surface of the material. The construction utilizes this specific weight of silk to maintain the structure of the skirt and bodice.

The sleeves are constructed from velvet, designed in a large "gigot" or "elephant" shape that reaches maximum volume. These voluminous sleeves contrast with the smoother texture of the silk satin body. Lace decoration is applied to the cuffs and the collar, providing a textural variation to the sleeves and neckline.

Related Works by Charles Frederick Worth

The designer's body of work includes a dress from 1868. This specific garment is held in the collection of the Design Museum of Barcelona. The piece reflects the construction methods and silhouettes established during the mid-nineteenth century.

Another example of his output is a yellow evening gown (back) from 1914. This garment is located in The National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. The work represents a later period in the history of the House of Worth.