By: Brennan Sykes
Type: Unlined sleeveless dress with embroidered details throughout the garment
Date: approximately 1990s
Location: Given to my grandmother in Los Angeles in the 1990s but bought from Mexico
Place of Origin: Mexico
Object details: Black cotton or cotton-blend sleeveless dress with embroidered flowers on the bodice and embroidered details on the neckline and where the sleeves would be located. The garment is very light and breathable.
Category: Dress, Traditional Dress, Huipil
Brief Description: This sleeveless, flowing dress was gifted to my grandmother by her mother-in-law which was acquired from Mexico. It was likely gifted in the 1990s although no exact date has been specified. It has been assumed that the dress was made in Mexico and strongly resembles a traditional Mexican Huipil dress. The brand and textiles are unknown as there are no tags on the garment. My grandmother’s mother-in-law gave it to my grandmother because she thought she would like it. My grandmother always thought it was too nice to wear and that she’d maybe wear it on a special occasion or a holiday but it has never been worn to this day.
Physical description: The bodice of this beautiful dress has been embroidered with vibrant flowers of white, yellow, orange, and blue. The exaggerated v-neck is orange and white with embroideries that wrap around the back of the neckline. A very similar embroidery has been stitched along the sleeve-less sleeves of the dress. The embroideries have clearly been
completed by hand and are done exceptionally well. This dress is unlined and drapes over the body. The garment has no elastic, zippers, buttons, or any closures or fasteners. This garment is most likely a type of Huipil dress, a traditional Mexican garment which is typically worn by an indigenous woman. Due to the fact that it has never been worn and is over 30 years old, it’s in fantastic condition with almost no signs of wear or aging.
Materials and technique: The dress is partially sheer, not as sheer as Organza or Chiffon, and is likely cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. The dress is likely hand embroidered and used as a machine to sew the seams
Personal Connection:
The personal connection I have with this item is that my grandmother and I are very close so I’m always eager to connect and learn more about her life. I’m always being told stories about her life and this garment is another step in her life that I’m yearning to further connect with.
The Fashion History Project 