Hooverette

English

Etymology

Like many things used by impoverished people during the Great Depression (e.g. Hoover hogs, Hoovervilles), the dress was named after Herbert Hoover, US president when the Depression began, +‎ -ette. (It has also been suggested that the name might not refer to the inexpensiveness but liken the dress's effectiveness as work clothing to Hoover's pre-presidential career as an effective administrator of aid to Europe after the First World War.)^[1]

Noun

Hooverette (plural Hooverettes)

A simple housedress with robe-style sash and wrap front, worn especially in United States in the 1930s and 1940s, with one section overlapping another; when dirty, the overlap could be reversed so a clean section was on top again, reducing laundry.
- 1932, Elmer Wheeler, Tested Selling Sentences (the Language of the Brain): Master Book:
  The Hooverette can be worn as a dress or as an apron.
- 1937, Lucy Poate Stebbins, The Golden Carlotta:
  “I have so few opportunities to wear such a dress, that I thought I'd better take every one that offered.” “In Paris you would need such a frock every evening,” observed Lynnette admiringly. “I'd rather stay at home and wear Hooverettes […] ”
- 2010, Mary Beth Klatt, Chicago's Fashion History: 1865 - 1945, Arcadia Publishing, →ISBN:
  During this period, Sears, Roebuck and Company sold Hooverettes, which were inexpensive, simple, wraparound dresses. They were reversible, so the whole dress could be flipped inside out for a different look.

Alternative forms

hooverette

References

^ Barbara Brackman, Making History - Quilts & Fabric From 1890-1970, C&T Publishing Inc (2010, →ISBN): "'Hooverette' as a name for a dress costing 47¢ might thus reflect depression frugality. However, the Dictionary of American Region English lists 'Hoover Apron' as slang for a coverall or house-dress with an overlapping reversible front, a name reflecting Hoover's earlier career as an effective administrator of postwar relief in Europe. The wrap-front dress could be worn until the bodice was dirty and then the overlap reversed to reveal a clean area, cutting down on laundry. The name Hooverette or Hoover Apron alludes to an efficient work dress."

[1] Barbara Brackman, Making History - Quilts & Fabric From 1890-1970, C&T Publishing Inc (2010, →ISBN): "'Hooverette' as a name for a dress costing 47¢ might thus reflect depression frugality. However, the Dictionary of American Region English lists 'Hoover Apron' as slang for a coverall or house-dress with an overlapping reversible front, a name reflecting Hoover's earlier career as an effective administrator of postwar relief in Europe. The wrap-front dress could be worn until the bodice was dirty and then the overlap reversed to reveal a clean area, cutting down on laundry. The name Hooverette or Hoover Apron alludes to an efficient work dress."

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