This stylish early 20th-century portrait depicts a woman wearing a silk chemise and necklace. It dates to around 1925.

This stylish ensemble may appear like nightwear but, in fact, the chemise dress was modelled on similar undergarments from earlier in the 20s. From around 1925, fashionistas would sport a ‘boyish’ or garçonne appearance, which involved curveless dresses and flattening brassieres. The chemise dress simply hung, like a nightshirt, down to the knees.

Flappers favoured this kind of outfit as it avoided the constraints of corsets, which made dancing somewhat harder.

Held within a giltwood frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 24” x 29½” / 61cm x 75cm
Year of creation: c. 1925
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.