1930s Paramour Bias Cut Gown - Copper and Aquamarine
Presenting 'Paramour' - A floor-length 1930s evening gown, cut on the bias for a fluid, close drape. Browse more bias-cut gowns and dresses and our full range of 1930s dresses. Sensual and flattering, this head turning gown in coppery, rich rust satin with aquamarine blue accents screams silver screen with it bias cut panels that glide and drape around the body like liquid.
This evening gown has some typical mid 1930s design trademarks including flattering cowl neckline and has been cleverly cut in several bias cut panels to hug but still flatter the body. We've made it in a viscose/rayon satin - the closest fabric we could find that feels like the originals!
Bias cut means the fabric is cut on the diagonal, across the grain. This gives the cloth stretch and a fluid drape, so it follows the body without darts or a fitted seam. The technique is closely associated with the couturière Madeleine Vionnet and defined 1930s evening wear. A cowl neckline is a soft draped fold of fabric at the front. Tiered flutter sleeves are layered, loose sleeves that move as you do.
We need to talk about the colour... The 1930s had a different opinion on colour to our modern eye. Many vintage originals use combinations that might seem a little startling at first. Rust or orange tones combined with this light blue was quite common and has been something we wanted to experiment with for a while.
Special vintage 1930s features in this gown: Dress features a belt with contrast trim and O ring to fasten and was based directly on an original vintage item. You can adjust it via moving the poppers. The tiered sleeves were based on images from an original dress and enhance the shoulder to create that classic mid 1930s silhouette.
The back is a V - not too low so you can still wear a bra and has a clever tie to secure the neckline where you wish. We love the long ties which hang low to add extra detail.
No zip - due to bias cut - pull over head.
Key 1930s features include:-
- cowl neckline
- tiered flutter sleeves
- V back with tie
- O ring belt
- floor length
Dry clean ONLY.
Also available in Jet Black & Ivory Satin
Made with love in Yorkshire, England
FAQ
What is a bias-cut gown?
A bias-cut gown is cut on the diagonal of the fabric rather than along the grain, so the satin stretches slightly and drapes close to the body. The Paramour is made from several bias-cut panels, which is why it has no zip and a fluid line from bust to floor.
Why is bias cut so closely linked to the 1930s?
The technique was developed by the couturière Madeleine Vionnet in the 1920s and became the defining line of 1930s evening dress. After the straight, boyish shapes of the 1920s, fashion moved to a longer, softer silhouette that followed the body, and bias-cut satin gowns suited it best.
Why is there no zip?
Because the cut is on the bias, the dress stretches enough to pull on over the head. A zip would break the line of the drape.
What is the silver screen connection?
The page describes the gown as “silver screen” glamour. Satin evening gowns with draped necklines and low backs were the look of 1930s film stars, and this gown is based on that style.
Why copper and aquamarine?
The page notes that the pairing of rusty copper and light blue was common in 1930s originals. The aquamarine accents appear on the belt trim and the sleeves.
What is the cowl neckline?
A cowl neckline is a soft draped fold of fabric that falls at the front of the neckline. It is a common feature of 1930s bias-cut dresses.
What are the tiered sleeves?
Layered flutter sleeves that move as you do. The sleeves are based on a vintage original.
What is the back like?
A V back with a tie to secure the neckline. It is cut high enough to wear a bra. The long ties hang low as decoration.
How does it fit?
It skims the body without being tight. The skirt moulds around the hips and the bust is free. Choose your size by waist measurement. Sizes run from UK 8 to 18.
Love this era? Read our 1930s Vintage Style Guide
Presenting 'Paramour' - A floor-length 1930s evening gown, cut on the bias for a fluid, close drape. Browse more bias-cut gowns and dresses and our full range of 1930s dresses. Sensual and flattering, this head turning gown in coppery, rich rust satin with aquamarine blue accents screams silver screen with it bias cut panels that glide and drape around the body like liquid.
This evening gown has some typical mid 1930s design trademarks including flattering cowl neckline and has been cleverly cut in several bias cut panels to hug but still flatter the body. We've made it in a viscose/rayon satin - the closest fabric we could find that feels like the originals!
Bias cut means the fabric is cut on the diagonal, across the grain. This gives the cloth stretch and a fluid drape, so it follows the body without darts or a fitted seam. The technique is closely associated with the couturière Madeleine Vionnet and defined 1930s evening wear. A cowl neckline is a soft draped fold of fabric at the front. Tiered flutter sleeves are layered, loose sleeves that move as you do.
We need to talk about the colour... The 1930s had a different opinion on colour to our modern eye. Many vintage originals use combinations that might seem a little startling at first. Rust or orange tones combined with this light blue was quite common and has been something we wanted to experiment with for a while.
Special vintage 1930s features in this gown: Dress features a belt with contrast trim and O ring to fasten and was based directly on an original vintage item. You can adjust it via moving the poppers. The tiered sleeves were based on images from an original dress and enhance the shoulder to create that classic mid 1930s silhouette.
The back is a V - not too low so you can still wear a bra and has a clever tie to secure the neckline where you wish. We love the long ties which hang low to add extra detail.
No zip - due to bias cut - pull over head.
Key 1930s features include:-
- cowl neckline
- tiered flutter sleeves
- V back with tie
- O ring belt
- floor length
Dry clean ONLY.
Also available in Jet Black & Ivory Satin
Made with love in Yorkshire, England
FAQ
What is a bias-cut gown?
A bias-cut gown is cut on the diagonal of the fabric rather than along the grain, so the satin stretches slightly and drapes close to the body. The Paramour is made from several bias-cut panels, which is why it has no zip and a fluid line from bust to floor.
Why is bias cut so closely linked to the 1930s?
The technique was developed by the couturière Madeleine Vionnet in the 1920s and became the defining line of 1930s evening dress. After the straight, boyish shapes of the 1920s, fashion moved to a longer, softer silhouette that followed the body, and bias-cut satin gowns suited it best.
Why is there no zip?
Because the cut is on the bias, the dress stretches enough to pull on over the head. A zip would break the line of the drape.
What is the silver screen connection?
The page describes the gown as “silver screen” glamour. Satin evening gowns with draped necklines and low backs were the look of 1930s film stars, and this gown is based on that style.
Why copper and aquamarine?
The page notes that the pairing of rusty copper and light blue was common in 1930s originals. The aquamarine accents appear on the belt trim and the sleeves.
What is the cowl neckline?
A cowl neckline is a soft draped fold of fabric that falls at the front of the neckline. It is a common feature of 1930s bias-cut dresses.
What are the tiered sleeves?
Layered flutter sleeves that move as you do. The sleeves are based on a vintage original.
What is the back like?
A V back with a tie to secure the neckline. It is cut high enough to wear a bra. The long ties hang low as decoration.
How does it fit?
It skims the body without being tight. The skirt moulds around the hips and the bust is free. Choose your size by waist measurement. Sizes run from UK 8 to 18.
Love this era? Read our 1930s Vintage Style Guide
| SIZE | BUST | WAIST | HIPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6* | 79cm 31" |
61cm 24" |
84cm 33" |
| 8 | 84cm 33" |
66cm 26" |
89cm 35" |
| 10 | 89cm 35" |
71cm 28" |
94cm 37" |
| 12 | 94cm 37" |
76cm 30" |
99cm 39" |
| 14 | 99cm 39" |
81cm 32" |
104cm 41" |
| 16 | 104cm 41" |
86.5cm 34" |
110cm 43" |
| 18 | 110cm 43" |
91.5cm 36" |
116cm 45.5" |
| 20* | to 117cm to 46" |
to 97cm to 39" |
123cm 48" |
| 22* | to 124cm to 49" |
to 104cm to 42.5" |
130cm 51" |
| 24* | to 131cm to 51.5" |
to 110cm to 44" |
137cm 54" |
| 26* | to 138cm to 54" |
to 117cm to 46" |
144cm 57" |
Delivery
Enjoy free delivery on orders over £150.
For orders under £150, UK standard delivery is 2 to 4 working days — £4.50 EU standard delivery is 3 to 6 working days — £15 USA standard delivery is 3 to 6 working days — £20 International standard delivery is 5 to 10 working days — £20
Need it a little sooner? Express delivery is available.
A little note on duties: any applicable import taxes are calculated and added at checkout. We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means we take care of everything on your behalf — your parcel passes straight through customs and arrives at your door with nothing more to do.
A little note on duties: any applicable import duties are calculated and added at checkout. We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means we take care of everything on your behalf — your parcel passes straight through customs and arrives at your door with nothing more to do.
A little note on duties: import duties or taxes may be applied by your country's customs authority when your order arrives. We'd recommend checking your local customs guidelines before ordering if you're unsure — we'd hate for any surprises to take the shine off your new piece.
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