The Bertha necklace is a wide, flat necklace that accentuates a woman’s shoulders and has a long history dating back to Victorian fashion. It can be worn as an accessory to a dress or blouse and is sometimes removable like a shawl. The necklace has evolved over time and is still used in modern fashion, particularly on bohemian tops and dresses. It has also been transformed into an actual cape, often made of lace or with ruffled details, and can be used as an accessory to many different outfits.
A Bertha necklace is a wide, round, flat necklace designed to accentuate a woman’s shoulders. It has a long history dating back to Victorian fashion. It can be worn as an accessory to a dress or blouse, and is sometimes removable like a shawl.
The first incarnation of the Bertha necklace was as part of Victorian evening wear. During the early Victorian era, women’s fashions underwent a change, and it became acceptable for women to show off their bare shoulders. The main feature of this style was a wide, flat, lace ruffle that trimmed the neckline of these dresses. Some of these ruffles used so much lace that they could be 6 inches (15.24 cm) deep.
In the 1940s, the Bertha necklace experienced a renaissance. During this time, the Bertha necklace began to have a broader definition. The name came to mean almost any large collar rather than one strictly worn as part of a shoulder-baring dress. Square collars and Peter Pan collars evolved from this trend.
In the 1940s, the Bertha necklace was also fashionable as part of a wedding dress, the style of which had not changed much since Victorian times. White gowns made from the newly manufactured rayon, or “artificial silk,” hung with lace and embroidered with seed pearls, were the norm for brides. For those who liked the look of an off-the-shoulder dress, but didn’t want to show too much flesh, the shoulders of the garment could be created with semi-opaque illusion netting.
The Bertha necklace has also become a feature of modern fashion, particularly on “bohemian” tops and dresses. These flowy garments are often worn off the shoulder, with the neckline accentuating the chest. This collar is sometimes embroidered. Some “Mexican” style dresses, without a trim, but made of brightly colored fabrics and embroidered with large flowers, also use a wide neckline. Many of these dresses have a gathered neckline with elastic, so the wearer can choose how much neck and shoulder they want to show.
Over the years, the Bertha necklace, sometimes called a cape necklace due to its size, has been transformed into an actual cape. Often made of lace or with ruffled details, the cape collar can be easily removed to transition from day to night. It can also be used as an accessory to many different outfits. Some high-end garments, which have a boat neck rather than a full off-the-shoulder neckline, will also utilize a cape collar. These wide, round collars are often made of pleated fabric for a rich look.
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