Dating a costume

[acceber]

Is it even possible to accurately date something like this? It strikes me as being rather old, but obviously not so old that it would date to when people actually dressed this way, if they ever did. Anyway, it snaps up the front. All the seams are unfinished. The material is very threadbare. The shawl part puts me in mind of curtains from the 80s. The hat is huge, like it was either for someone with a really big head or someone with a lot of hair. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Jonathan]

It's probably from 1932. There were a lot of 18th century costumes made in 1932 to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of George Washington. We have one in the collection with its label that is a match to yours. Same lightweight floral print cotton with panniers, and ruffled cuffs and kerchief of a contrasting material. The skirt would have matched the kerchief and cuffs, and the waistband of the skirt is where the label is that would have identified the dress as a George Washington bicentennial costume.

 

[acceber]

Fascinating. Thank you!

 

[Jonathan]

Here's one of the commerical costumes, and also an article with an idea for a costume from the late 1920s - so it was definitely a thing at the time...

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

I have a similar piece, but mine is later and rayon.
These must have been popular costumes.