Dress 1935 - 1942

Virginia Berge created this watercolor on paper of a dress, though the date of its creation is unknown. Berge lived a long life, during which the cultural expectations and constraints around women’s dress shifted radically. Consider the symbolism of the dress itself. Historically, clothing has been a powerful marker of identity, reflecting social status, gender roles, and cultural values. For women especially, dress was often a battleground, negotiating the tension between personal expression and societal expectations. Note the dress's vibrant red color and floral pattern which might symbolize vitality and femininity. The dress, with its high waist and off-the-shoulder neckline, speaks to both constraint and display. Berge's choice to depict this particular dress might be seen as a reflection on the changing roles of women during her lifetime. It prompts us to consider how women navigated these shifts, using fashion as a means of both conforming to and subverting societal norms. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, while also acknowledging the progress women have made in claiming their own identities and agency.