Summary

Formal evening ensemble comprising a dark blue velvet georgette sleeveless dress with matching bolero and pale blue petticoat.

Worn by Mrs Belle Rankin (nee Annie Isabella Oliver), wife of Senator George Rankin (formerly Major General George Rankin), senator for Victoria 1950-1957. Annie Isobel Oliver (b. 1873) married George Rankin. The dresses from her collection were all recorded as worn 1940-1958, when she would have been relatively elderly; the styles of some of the collection suggest they were made in the 1930s.

Physical Description

Formal evening ensemble of sleeveless dress and petticoat with matching bolero. .1: Full-length, sleeveless and low backed dress of dark blue velvet georgette with gold metallic thread. High cut bodice with gathering around bustline, deep V shaped neckline. Front gathered at shoulders with rows of shirring held from the back with 3 rouleau straps. .2: Short bolero-style jacket of same fabric as dress with short puffed sleeves, interlined with net, shirred at top and pleated at hem. Machine stitched. .3: Petticoat, full length, light blue taffetta with high cut bodice, fitted around bust and thin rouleau straps. Flared skirt.

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