New England-Style Women's Dress That Looks Like Maroon Venetian Rug... (Cambridge: live, design)

[cruisefx]

When I visited Cambridge, Massachusetts about three years ago, I visited a computer superstore called Micro Center.

At Micro Center was a young lady in her twenties wearing an antiquated figure-long dress (covers arms, torso, and legs) that looked like a maroon venetian rug (best way I can describe it). I have tried my best to identify it with keywords on Google, and the only other terms I have come up with are "petticoat" or "cossack", but I can not find an adequate matching example of neither of these to the actual dress.

It really smacked of colonial New England to me, and I actually thought it was quite attractive, even though it looked out-of-place.

However, I have been unable to identify the name of this style of clothing, and I would really like to.

The best picture I could find to describe it would be this one. It looks like the center of the design, but isn't as "busy" as this:



So, does anyone know what this style of dress is called, and whether it is actually popular in Massachusetts and other parts of New England? Perhaps one might be able to throw in some historical information as well, considering its apparent historical significance. Thanks.

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[in_newengland]

Well, since no one else has answered so far, I will go ahead and say what I think. I have lived in MA most of my life and I've never encountered a clothing item that resembles what you are talking about.

Maybe it was a one of a kind, something she made? She made it from a rug? Maybe she wasn't even from MA.

Early New Englanders were very conservative in their clothing, wearing plain wool, mostly drab gray or black or blue. After the very early colonial days, they usually followed the fashions of Europe and there was not much of a particular New England style that I know of except to dress warmly in winter.

If they had fancy carpet-like material like your photo shows, they would put it over the table, not walk on it or wear it. That's what they did if they had an oriental rug -- Maybe that material was tapestry, maybe this person used tapestry material and made a dress out of it. In this case your guess is as good as mine.

[cruisefx]

I did some more searching, and I think that it might be an: African "Dashiki" Boho (Bohemian) Hippie Tunic Dress. Look some up on Ebay. But this may actually still might not be it. I recall it looking more royal and English, but it could have been based off this design. So, I think I might have answered my own question. Maybe there is a New England spinoff of this. --

[cruisefx]

More searching has revealed that it probably is a Maroon Caftan or Kaftan, like this: Amazon.com: Evening Dress - Womens Caftans Gowns Multicolored Size M (kftn754): Apparel

[miu]

Reading your first post, "caftan" immediately came into my mind, but it's not a New England thing. It has a more ethnic background to it. Caftans originally were a traditional robe or gown wore by Turkish or Egyptian men.

[in_newengland]

Interesting. And you would be likely to see something this in Cambridge where people are individualistic and expressive. No, it's not really a New England thing except that we are tolerant and open minded so someone could dress like this and not be considered an idiot the way they would in some parts of the country.

[miu]

I remember that this style of ethnic dress was popular in the 60's and 70's. Sort of a hippie thing and appreciating other cultures. And also supporting them financially by importing those items into our country.

[azaleaeight]

Maybe it would be a "colonial dress" or a Victorian dress. Either way, in general, no, it's not popular in New England. Clothes from Ann Taylor, Macy's, Sears, and even Walmart are. The woman probably found a vintage dress somewhere, or else she made it.

[miu]

Here's a picture of a more traditional looking caftan. They are also made shorter like a tunic top.