Early 1920s dresses
I love the the long, elegant styles of the early 1920s. Although this brief period is considered transitional from the more structured Edwardian look to the later flapper style, the early 1920s produced some of the most beautiful clothing of the 20th century.
When I think of these wonderful dresses of the early 1920s, one in particular comes to mind. I call the "Hope dress" because of an incident in 1920 in the life of Mrs. Hope ... Guy and Hope were a wealthy, childless couple who had just moved, for business reasons, to Washington DC, where they knew no one. Just before the move, Hope had purchased in New York a dress almost exactly like our dress.
The only difference: her dress was black with a white slip. For the upper bourgeoisie in America in 1920, fashions were still influenced by Edwardian mores and styles. With the partial opening on one side, my Hope dress would have been a bit daring for 1920; the original Hope dress in black and white was more so.
Hope got a chance to wear the dress shortly after arriving in Washington, when she and Guy attended an expensive charity function. At their table was an immensely wealthy, political power broker, whom I will call "the host." He was quite taken with Hope, and no wonder. A pretty blond with an insouciant, happy manner, she acted and looked younger than her 37 years. Amused by Hope, on a whim the host invited the couple to one of his famous "long weekends" at his vast estate outside Washington.
Hope and Guy knew none of the other nine couples who had received the coveted invitation for the country weekend. Although her dress was conservative that first evening, she had come with a stylish, modern wardrobe to be used "just in case," as she told Guy. Dinner the first night went well. The ladies retired to the salon to leave the gentlemen to discuss politics over port. It was a large salon, of beautiful proportions, and furnished with brilliant and delicate taste.
Once alone with the other ladies, Hope's ordeal began. They had no interest in this arriviste, who was a bit too young and pretty for their taste. The other ladies never noticed her or only stared at her over their shoulders. Everywhere was heard, in suppressed whispers, the fatal question, "Who is she?" After dinner the ladies formed into polite groups, from which Hope was invariably excluded.
For Hope the first night after dinner was a disaster. It is not soothing to one's self love to find oneself sitting alone, pretending to look at prints, in a fine drawing-room, full of fine people who do not speak to you. But Hope, after winning this precious invitation, was not about to be driven out of the drawing room by such tactics.
Experience convinced her that all that was required was a little patience. Hope could sing, dance, ride and talk, and all well; and was mistress of the art of flirtation. She had confidence in herself, her quickness, her accomplishments, and her practiced powers of attraction. And she was right.
The second night after dinner when the other ladies again ignored Hope in the salon, she immediately went to her room and changed into her "Hope dress," so very like our silk lace dress. She timed her return to the salon for the reappearance of the gentlemen. She was always sure of an ally the moment the gentlemen appeared. Her dress had the desired effect, and more.
The cavalier who had sat next to her at dinner was only too happy to meet her again. More than once, too, she caught her famous host, although a whole garrison was ever on the watch to prevent her. He was greatly amused, and showed that he was greatly amused, by her society. Then she suggested plans to him to divert his guests.
In a country house, the inventive mind is inestimable. Somehow or other in a few days, Hope seemed the soul of everything, always surrounded by a cluster of admirers and with what are called "the best men." They were ever ready to ride with her, dance with her, act with her, or fall at her feet. The fine ladies found it absolutely necessary to thaw: they began to ask her questions after dinner.
Hope only wanted an opening. She was an adroit flatterer with a easy temper and gifted with a ceaseless energy of conferring slight obligations. To the other ladies she imparted the mysteries of the latest fashions, mixed in with the gayest, most amusing gossip. In the end, Hope contrived pretty well to catch them all. But she never forgot her "Hope dress."