Dinner suit

Manufacturer Man's tail suit originally made by Playdell and Smith British
Manufacturer Made over for a woman by Mrs. Bertha Black Lewry American
1929–43
Not on view
Counseling wartime women to convert their husband's unused evening clothes into their own evening suits, Harper's Bazaar (April 1943) created a model with a girdled waist and hipline. Shoulder pads exaggerated the torso and emulated masculinity at a time when women assumed many of the roles formerly exclusive to men. The man's tail suit was originally made by Playdell and Smith of London in 1929; Mrs. Bertha Black Lowery of Jackson Heights made over the suit on commission from Harper's Bazaar.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Dinner suit
  • Manufacturer: Man's tail suit originally made by Playdell and Smith (British)
  • Manufacturer: Made over for a woman by Mrs. Bertha Black Lewry (American)
  • Date: 1929–43
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: wool
  • Credit Line: Gift of Harper's Bazaar, 1943
  • Object Number: C.I.43.58a, b
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

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