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Museum object · Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Gray dress with draped shawl collar

1940s

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A gray synthetic silk dress with a draped shawl collar. Four panels of fabric make up the front of the dress. The proper left panel has gray macramé tassels sewn to the bottom. Three layered fabric panels make up the right of side of the dress. All three panels have been gathered and sewn to the left panel, creating a ruched effect. The neckline features a diagonal-cut shawl collar layered on top of the center panel of fabric. The center panel extends from the bust to the knee area and has a right diagonal cut on the bottom. The bottom layer of fabric forms the front of skirt is rolled and handstitched into place. There are four darts at the top of the sleeve, creating a puffy shoulder.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2007.3.620

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