Original circa 1933-1934 New York Pattern No. 1565 - Ladies' and Misses' Dress and Bolero

Original circa 1933-1934 New York Pattern No. 1565 for a Ladies' and Misses' dress and matching bolero. The dress closes at the back, with a square neck at front and a rounded neck at back, and drop shoulders forming short sleeves. A waist bow and sash accent the two-piece skirt, and a separate three-quarter-sleeve bolero completes the ensemble. Factory Folded and Unused.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: New York No. 1565
• Year: Circa 1933-1934
• Garment: Ladies' and Misses' Dress and Bolero
• Size: 14 (32" Bust, 35" Hip)
• Condition: Factory Folded

Design

This dress plays with two different necklines at once -- square at the front, rounded at the back -- closing invisibly down the back rather than the front. Drop shoulders form the short sleeves, keeping the upper body soft and unstructured, while a waist bow and self-fabric sash mark the natural waist over a simple two-piece skirt. A separate bolero, cut with three-quarter length sleeves, layers over top for a more finished silhouette and can be removed just as easily for a plainer look. Ten pattern pieces in all.

A Moment in Fashion History

Dress-and-bolero pairings were a practical early-1930s solution for a wardrobe that needed to move between occasions -- a simple, sleeveless-effect dress dressed up instantly with a cropped jacket layer, then just as easily worn plain. Back-closing construction with contrasting front and back necklines reflects the era's interest in small asymmetries and structural details rather than heavy embellishment.

Illustration

The cover illustration has been digitally restored and enhanced by Judy Yates to highlight the original fashion artwork while preserving the character and artistry of this historic New York Pattern envelope.

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.