School of frock

Photo: Courtesy of Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum’s “Chic Chicago,” opening September 27, will display 62 historic dresses fit for royalty—in fact, royal courts were exactly where some of these gowns were worn. Curator Tim Long weighs in on how each frock—all donned by local women—symbolized the fashion of the day.

late-teens
“A transition piece from the late teens to the 1920s flapper dress.”
The dress Known for its flapper styles, the now-obsolete House of Callot Soeurs made this gold-brocade number, trimmed with coral and tiny teal beads.
The woman Pauline Palmer, a painter, philanthropist and daughter-in-law of renowned Impressionist-art collector Bertha Palmer
Where she wore it Dropping Mommy’s name and using her own fame, she appeared at various court functions in England and France in this gown.

NEXT>>

Check out the other sections in our 2008 Fall Preview:

ART | BOOKS | CLUBS | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | GAY & LESBIAN | KIDS | MUSEUMS & CULTURE | MUSIC | OPERA & CLASSICAL | RESTAURANTS & BARS | SHOPPING | SPORTS & REC | THEATER | TV & DVD