Original circa 1933 New York Pattern No. 1224 - Ladies' and Misses' Dress with Drop Shoulders

Original circa 1933 New York Pattern No. 1224 for a Ladies' and Misses' dress with drop shoulders. This design closes under the left arm and again at the center-back of the yoke, and comes with a removable scarf and a two-piece circular collar for two distinct necklines. Long or short set-in sleeves are both provided, and a six-piece circular skirt, pressed in inverted plaits at the side-front and side-back, attaches at the waist under a removable belt. Factory Folded and Unused.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: New York No. 1224
• Year: Circa 1933
• Garment: Ladies' and Misses' Dress with Drop Shoulders
• Size: 14 (32" Bust, 35" Hip)
• Condition: Factory Folded

Design

This dress hangs from a front and back yoke, dropping the shoulder line for an easy, relaxed fit through the upper body. A two-piece circular collar and a separate removable scarf are both included, letting the wearer dress the neckline up or down as the occasion calls for. Sleeves can be set in long or short. Below the waist, a six-piece circular skirt is pressed into inverted plaits at the side-front and side-back before attaching under a removable belt, giving the skirt real movement without heavy bulk at the waist seam. Fifteen pattern pieces in all.

A Moment in Fashion History

Drop-shoulder yokes and removable scarves like these gave a single early-1930s dress pattern real range -- a soft, ruffled scarf could dress up a plain bodice for the afternoon, while the two-piece circular collar offered a more tailored alternative for other occasions. Pressed inverted plaits at the skirt's side seams reflect the era's preference for controlled fullness: movement in the skirt without abandoning a fitted waistline.

Connections

This pattern is part of our ongoing exhibit, In Name Only -- a growing collection of New York Patterns and Own Name Patterns from the 1930s. Come take a look.