1910's-20's handmade cotton crepe Children's shift by BLOOMINGDALE BROTHERS

If you're from America, most likely you've heard of the high-end department store called Bloomingdale's. Well, this New York City shop was originally called Bloomingdale Brother's, until the turn of the century, when a clever ad campaign that read "All cars transfer to Bloomingdale's" popularized this store, and its location, leading to folk referring to the shop as Bloomingdale's (this was around 1899-1912). Not sure when they started using 'Bloomingdale's' labels instead of 'Bloomingdale Bros.' but the style of this shift dates it to around 1910-1920. An interesting note: pink became known as a feminine color in the U.S. around the 1940's, so its most likely that this was actually a boy's shift, therefor, I'm considering this piece unisex.

This shift comes in a light and airy cotton crepe fabric with crinkle texture (think cheesecloth) in white. Woven throughout is a pattern of little apples/cherries/radishes (?) in red and green. There is a lightweight, semi-sheer pink cotton fabric at the Peter Pan collar, trimming the armholes, and used as a geometric decoration at shoulders and hem. The back neck has a tiny metal snap closure, as well as THE tiniest carved shell button placket closure. A ribbon is woven throughout the waistline (this is not the original ribbon, however, I replaced it with a silk ribbon from around the same era, 1920's). The most amazing thing to note: the entire piece is constructed via hand-sewing! All of it!! Overall condition is excellent, with a few repairs throughout, as well as some tiny and unnoticeable pinhead sized holes in the fabric. Label reads 'Made in France for Bloomingdale Bros. New York'.

Measurements:

- 11.5 inches across from shoulder to shoulder

- up to 32 inch chest

- 36 inch waist

- 22 inches total length from shoulder to hem

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or inquiries!