Ensemble

Claire McCardell is remembered as a pioneer of American fashion. After studying at Parsons and living in Paris, she returned to America to design functional, affordable clothes for the American woman. Her simple use of natural fabrics, such as cotton, denim and wool combined with flattering silhouettes filled a vacancy in women's fashion. Her first success was the tent-shaped Monastic dress, which had no form, but when belted became body-revealing and flattering. For the length of her career, McCardell designed inventive, sometimes daring looks that were mass-produced down to every last spaghetti tie and brass hook.

This ensemble is an excellent example of American sportswear popularized during the forties. McCardell as well Vera Maxwell were both designing day ensembles such as this. The wool pantsuit is not only flattering to the figure, with the belted waist, but is made of wool jersey which is comfortable and nonrestricting. The choice of fabric, the subtle color and the simple design are characteristic of McCardell's work.