
Wartime / Utility Fashion · 1940s · American
Designer
Mae's Millinery Shop
Production
handmade
Material
synthetic fiber
Culture
American
Influences
Spanish mantilla tradition · Victorian mourning shawl
A black synthetic fiber shawl featuring intricate floral embroidery across the body and decorative fringe trim along the edges. The embroidered motifs appear to be worked in matching black thread, creating subtle tonal variations through different stitch techniques and densities. The shawl is constructed as a rectangular wrap with long fringe elements extending from multiple edges, creating movement and visual interest. The draping quality suggests a lightweight synthetic material that would have been practical during wartime fabric rationing while still providing elegance for special occasions. The floral embroidery demonstrates skilled needlework typical of millinery shops that expanded into accessories during the 1940s.
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Lineage: “Victorian mourning shawl”
Lineage: “Native American dance regalia fringe”