Claire McCardell Avocado Green Dress

What Chanel was to France, many could say McCardell was to America. Its hard to overestimate the influence designer Claire McCardell had over the American tradition of women's fashion... between the tailoring and the implications of a feminist movement via clothing, her mark certainly is a clear one. Transforming the hyper-feminine and fluffy (think prom-like fit 'n flare of the 1940s and 50s), McCardell took the feminine form and made it into a flexible, belt to cinch and comfortable take on the upscale day dress. All together flattering, feminine but able to move with an American woman's ambitions; whether she chose to be a busy homemaker or a busy business woman, McCardell's dresses could fit many moulds.   This dress is a lovely avocado green version of the formal shift dress. This is more than likely late 40s early 50s and denotes a shift from straight formed dresses with large shoulders to the fit and flare. The dramatic back v-neck is both daring and interesting. Closed with a h