ELBE shirtwaist dress peacock and storm

A shirtwaist dress is somewhat of an iconic item of the 50s era: it combines the implicitness of a feminine silhouette with the pursuit of professional emancipation, and a playful approach to both. Browsing through the archives of the French fashion magazine «  L’officiel », I finally fell in love with a design from 1955 I found casual and exciting at the same time. Buttoned from neck to hem with a large notched shawl collar framing a deep cleavage, large rectangular patch pockets on a medium full skirt, rolled sleeves and a wide contrasting leather belt. Made of a soft, opaque and slightly shiny crêpe de viscose, the « Elbe » dress can be worn with boots under a warm coat in winter or with (or without) a cardigan and flats or pumps in the warmer season.