Casgliadau Arlein

Wedding dress worn on 18 November 1948 by Mrs M. Winchester, Fairwater, Cardiff. Made by Beattie Williams (dressmaker).

Ivory fabric with woven self coloured pattern of waving brush strokes overall. Full length dress with integral train. Bodice is closefitting, with wide V neckline, trimmed with pleated self fabric; padded shoulders. Long sleeves, slightly full at top, closefitting at wrist with slit at wrist fastened by four covered buttons and made loops. Sleeve ends in V shape over back of hand held in place by loop of elastic (one missing), and trimmed with pleated trimming of self fabric. Back fastening to bottom of deep V at waist, twenty-six covered buttons and made loops. Base of deep V at front waist trimmed with spray of padded oak leaves in self fabric, with synthetic pearls (matching head-dress). Skirt given extra fullness at front by insertion of triangular godets. Extra piece of fabric inserted into train where there was insufficient material.