The collar, panel insert, shoulders and sleeves, on this dress are all composed of cluster tucks. .
Labour intensive decoration such as this, added cost to a garment and was conspicuous.
Dresses with jigsaw surface stitching sent the same message.

It came as a reaction to the machine sewing shops which were producing ready to wear clothing for a mass market, at a price most women could afford.

Above photograph by Anderson & Co Leighton Buzzard •