The polka dot dress!
I think of this as the archetypal dress of the 1930s, when polka dots were everywhere. This particular outfit has some fancy details. The dress itself appears to have a halter strap around the neck—or is it trim over netting? On top she wears a short jacket with puffy sleeves made from sheer fabric. This is clearly a dress up outfit for some special occasion, underscored by the big bouquet on her chest. She wears a hat at a jaunty angle, adding to the dark and light theme.
Written on the back is “Mother at the Old Farm,” with a printer’s mark from Minneapolis, Minnesota. What does “Old Farm” mean exactly? Had the family acquired new property, or had they moved to the city and left country life behind?
Another navy? (maybe) polka dot dress!
I think it’s not a halterneck but another 30’s trope – the sheer dotted dress over an opaque lining. With a matching bolero, and all bound with a matching solid trim. So the lines you can see on the chest are the neckline binding, with a single layer of the sheer fabric beside. And you can just see her arm through the sleeve (or, at least, I can).
From the crispness, georgette or even organza rather than chiffon.
Very flattering for the older madam and I’ve just bought some silk-cotton batiste for just that reason. 🙂