This is my 1926 mint green ‘celanese’ taffeta afternoon dress. Celanese is the 1920s trade name for cellulose acetate fabric. A fabric used to replace silk in the 1920s.

Celanese fabric is ‘imbued with the very spirit of modernism […] fast in color, enduring in wear, and possess unique hygienic qualities’ according to this 1928 ad. Celanese fabris are ‘everywhere’, they have ‘exquisite beauty, […] superb style, […] unrivalled modernity […] they lend themselves to almost every use in wardrobe and home … from formal gowns to window-drapes, from children’s frocks to lingerie […] they are easily washed […] they dry in no time … hold their shape always […] They are not affected by perspiration’ according to this 1928 ad. This 1929 ad (scroll down a bit) shows the different celanese (acetate rayon) fabrics.

This 1928 ad advertises celanese fabric for ‘the new modes in sportwear […] Their loveliness lends to even the simplest of sport costumes an aura of enchantment […] washing actually improves them […] they do not cling … they keep you cool in summer, warm in winter. Celanese fabrics are the chosen fabrics of fastidious womanhood.’ I seem to have gotten the wrong kind of celanese as I found the dress rather warm on this summer day, and washing didn’t improve the fabric, quite the contrary! 😉

Here’s a c. 1926 celanese dress. And here’s the 1926 pattern for this dress. I haven’t attached the wrap ‘cape’ at the shoulder so the dress can also be worn without it. And here’s a late 1920s printed green silk dress with a similar flounced skirt. I used the slash and spread technique to make the skirt flounces.

Then I bound the neckline, armscyes, and sleeves with contrasting mint green satin bias binding. And the scalloped hems of the flounces are finished with a 1920s imitation picot hem. The fabric is a bit stiff for this pattern so it doesn’t drape as well as I’d like. I have some meters left of this fabric which I’ll use to sew an Edwardian petticoat and corset cover for a white muslin and lace lingerie dress.