Images(6)

Dress, Wedding

Object number2021.61.1 a-f

Manufacturer Pari-Smart Shoes

Retailer Kaufmann's Department Store (1871 - 2005)

Date1944

MediumVelvet; Metal; Leather

Credit LineGift of Jamie George

DescriptionBlue velvet wedding dress with matching belt and headpiece, pair of blue satin shoes, and bow of spare blue velvet fabric. Blue velvet wedding dress. Sweetheart neckline and stand-up ruffled Queen Anne collar. Three-quarter-length sleeves with puffed pleated shoulders and rouching near bottom of sleeves. Floor-length four-tiered skirt with pleats around top of each tier. String belt loop on each side of waist; proper left loop is detached at the base. Blue metal zipper down proper left side of bodice. Black shoulder pads sewn inside each shoulder. Blue velvet belt. Length of blue velvet with matching fabric bow at one end. Each end has black metal snap and hook-and-eye fastener for closure. Blue velvet headpiece. Vertical crown of ruffled/pleated fabric above crown of twisted/gathered fabric that frames head and extends into long fabric ties. Reverse of vertical crown is solid, flat fabric. Base of headpiece has fabric-covered metal wire strands that are connected at base with wire ends exposed; wire is wrapped in white string, then blue velvet fabric. Pair of blue satin high heel shoes, size 7. Vamp has layered fabric radiating from central top-stitched spiral; V-shaped topline. High rear counter with vertical seam on back and anchored ankle straps featuring silver metal buckle on proper left side and strap with four metal eyelets. 3.25-inch heel is covered in matching fabric and has dark brown leather heel tip. Light brown leather interior and insole; insole has scalloped edge. Brown leather outsole has size handwritten under the shank. Bow of spare fabric. Blue velvet spare fabric scraps and strips tied into a bow.DimensionsHeight x Width (a - Width between shoulder seams): 60.625 x 13.25 in. (154 x 33.7 cm)
Height x Length x Depth (b): 1.188 x 28.5 x 1.063 in. (3 x 72.4 x 2.7 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 38 x 12.5 x 1.5 in. (96.5 x 31.8 x 3.8 cm)
Height x Width x Length (d): 5.75 x 3.063 x 9.75 in. (14.6 x 7.8 x 24.8 cm)
Height x Width x Length (e): 5.875 x 3.063 x 9.5 in. (14.9 x 7.8 x 24.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (f): 18 x 13.375 x 2 in. (45.7 x 34 x 5.1 cm)
Marks(d)
Interior of rear counter has purple stamped text "8 AA 11134 / 311 160 28 / 10".

Outsole has handwritten text under the shank "7".

(e)
Insole has black text at center "Pari-Smart / SHOES / B / TRADE MARK".

Interior of rear counter has purple stamped text "8 AA 11134 / 311 160 28 / 10".

Outsole has handwritten text under the shank "7".
Historical NotesBlue velvet wedding dress, hat, and shoes from Kaufmann’s Department store. The wedding ensemble of Beatrice "Bebe" Irene Breth when she married Woodrow Linn Wilson, donor Jamie George's uncle. They met at church in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and were married on October 1, 1944, at her parent's home. At the time Beatrice lived at home with her parents, Norman and Roxie Ross Breth, in Houston, PA, and taught school at Canonsburg Elementary School. Woodrow worked for G.E. finance and was a WWI veteran. They settled in Penn Hills where Beatrice taught at Forbes school in the Penn Hills School District and Woodrow managed a Firestone store in Homestead until his death in 1968. Beatrice passed away in 2003.

Previous owner Beatrice Irene Breth (died 2003)

Related person Woodrow Linn Wilson

Related institution Canonsburg Elementary School

Related institution Forbes School

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