Claire McCardell Collection
Title
Claire McCardell Collection
Description
Please click Claire McCardell Exhibit to return to the exhibit page that contains thumbnail images of all the items in this collection.
Collection Items
Sort by:
-
Dress
Gray linen fit and flare dress; natural waistline; square neckline; pewter button center front closure; top-stitched trim; sleeves cut in shoulder line; short sleeves; circular skirt with mock tiers created with top-stitching; mid-calf length. -
Dress
Reddish brown plain weave cotton dress; deep V-neckline; shawl collar; empire waistline; mid-calf length; elbow length kimono sleeves; French darts; flare skirt; waist dips to deep V in back. Donor let down hem.
Purchased and worn by the donor, Nancy Smart, to wear to her engagement parties in 1948. -
Three piece ensemble
A. Brown wool tweed suit jacket; collarless; bias cut; shallow V-neckline; long dolman sleeves; double-breasted with gold metal dome buttons/slanted buttonholes. B. Brown wool tweed suit skirt; straightline; horizontal buttonhole pockets. C. Orange silk shantung blouse; brass ball button closure; convertible collar; self-fabric tie stitched along front shoulder; long straight sleeves on slanted armhole. -
Jacket open to show blouse
C. Orange silk shantung blouse; brass ball button closure; convertible collar; self-fabric tie stitched along front shoulder; long straight sleeves on slanted armhole. -
Dress
Muted red silk faille fitted dress; natural waistline; Peter Pan collar; long batwing sleeves; with shaped hem and black ball button closures; skirt with unpressed pleats; 4 inch black band at hem; mid-calf length; side zipper closure; back neck opening; originally had a black sash and gold-tone book fastener that were lost before dress was accessioned into collection. -
Dress
Blue-green cotton A-line dress; printed fabric with a dark green tassel motif; princess seams; collarless; open at center front overlap; 3/4 length kimono sleeves; ruched fabric under empire line; left side zipper closure. -
Vest
Black and green feather pattern velvet vest; back of vest is solid black wool; jewel collar; double-breasted with 8 silver filigree button closure; front has princess line seams; back has modified princess line; waist length; lined in red and green plaid cotton. -
Detail of inside lining
Black and green feather pattern velvet vest; back of vest is solid black wool; jewel collar; double-breasted with 8 silver filigree button closure; front has princess line seams; back has modified princess line; waist length; lined in red and green plaid cotton. -
Dress
A. Blue floral print cotton dress; fabric pattern of abstracted white and yellow flowers and a floating man playing a green violin; jewel neckline; short kimono sleeves; fitted bodice; side zipper closure; full skirt has been shortened, hem is now released; it is likely the dress was originally mid-calf length and has been shortened to knee length. B. Blue floral print cotton belt; fabric pattern of abstracted white and yellow flowers; 5/8 inches wide; covered buckle.
Fabric designed by Marc Chagall. Worn as a "going away" dress on May 5, 1956 for wedding at St. Sebastian's church. -
Blouse
White plain weave linen day blouse; wide square neckline; sleeveless; large ball pearl buttoned shoulders; waist darts; left side zipper closure. -
Skirt
Charcoal gray wool A-line skirt; banded waistline; pleats at waist front and back; black shank button closure on waistband over left side zipper; hidden slash pockets on side seams; deep inverted pleat at center back. -
Pants
Turquoise paisley pattern wool challis pants; pattern in shades of green and purple; tapered legs; built-up waist; two front and back darts; left side zipper closure. -
Coat
Navy blue, white, red, and yellow houndstooth wool twill coat; roll collar; double-breasted with 12 navy plastic button closure; one-piece long sleeves; princess line; slash double welt pockets at hips; knee length. -
Detail of button hasp under collar
Navy blue, white, red, and yellow houndstooth wool twill coat; roll collar; double-breasted with 12 navy plastic button closure; one-piece long sleeves; princess line; slash double welt pockets at hips; knee length. -
Dress
Dark brown and orange plaid wool twill dress; jewel collar; semi-fitted bodice with below-bust shirring; long dolman sleeves; single-breasted; 3 black domed buttons and tie at bust; gathering at midriff yoke; flared skirt with side zipper closure; mid-calf length. -
Dress
Light and dark gray heathered wool flannel dress; small shawl collar with 3 covered buttons; long kimono sleeves; side zipper closure; horizontal seam just under bust, above light gray and below dark gray; 4 gore skirt; mid-calf length. -
Blouse
Red rayon surah blouse; printed with abstract design of black dots and starts; semi-fitted; narrow roll collar with single hook and eye closure; long dolman sleeves; six plastic button closures; two French darts; yellow stitching around waistline; black stitching around collar and cuffs. -
Three piece ensemble
Dark brown velveteen evening ensemble. A. Halter evening dress; draped surplice bodice; round back; waistline seam forms V-shape at center back; slightly flared skirt; pleated front waist; left side zipper and hook and eye closure. B. Bolero; one-piece tubular construction forming cutaway neckline; short kimono sleeves. C. Contour belt; covered buckle; 3 holes. -
Dress and belt without bolero
Dark brown velveteen evening ensemble. A. Halter evening dress; draped surplice bodice; round back; waistline seam forms V-shape at center back; slightly flared skirt; pleated front waist; left side zipper and hook and eye closure. C. Contour belt; covered buckle; 3 holes.
Worn with bolero (Object ID #2004.17.28.b) to form three piece ensemble.