It was 1914 and Paris was all aplomb over a silly dress worn by an actress in public. Had Paris fashion gone to far, showing off way too much flesh? Or were the catty elite just acting out in jealousy?
The Dress That Made Paris Vow to Reform Its Fashions
The world has doubtless been surprised by the news that Paris leaders of fashion have declared that Paris fashions must be more modest.
The world, and particularly the American part of it, have had an idea that Paris and modesty were not on speaking terms, but they were mistaken.
Here is the gown that made the Parisian society leaders declare that this sort of thing had gone far enough.
It is said to be the most décolleté costume ever worn in a respectable public place. It was designed by one of the most noted couturiers of Paris, and was greatly deplored by society because the very best designers have, as a rule, refused to follow the extremes in undress, for which Parisian fashions recently become notorious.
The offending gown was worn by one of the handsomest and best known actresses of Paris. She appeared in it one evening at one of the best restaurants of the city, before a large gathering of men and women of high social position, including a number of American visitors.
Several Frenchwomen, including a distinguished duchess, who was accompanied by her daughter, withdrew from the restaurant when they saw the startling dress.
It is urged on behalf of the dress that it is beautiful and artistic. This fact is admitted by many of those who criticized it. They even admit that it might not be considered offensive or be out of place on the stage, but it is pronounced to be entirely unsuited for purely social occasions. Those who are seeking to correct the taste of Paris maintain that dress in society must be regarded to some extent as a covering for the body, and not simply as an ornament and a means of enhancing its semi-nudity.
This gown is cut down to the waist at the back, and nearly as low in front. It is held to the shoulders by a very open network of pearls. A light swathing of very transparent gauze is thrown over the shoulders. This hides nothing, but lends an additional softness and allurement to the expanse of white flesh seen through it.
The skirt is a gracefully draped affair of velvet liberally slit in front and exposing bare limbs shod with shoes of a modified sandal type.
It is significant that immediately after the apparition of this gown the leading titled women of Paris society issued their manifesto, urging all women of good breeding to do their utmost to discourage immodest and extreme fashions.
Hence, many now speak of it as “the gown that made us reform.”
There were, however, many other facts that led the more serious element in society to feel that it was time to call a halt.
Source: Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]), 03 May 1914.
