The tidy housewife always regards at least two house frocks as necessary garments in her wardrobe, but even the woman that has in the past been indifferent to her appearance in the home while on household duties, favours the loose cool house frock of to-day. It is easy to slip on, and is certainly not hard to launder.
"Around the shops", Farmer and Settler, 1 December 1922
Leaving the realm of high fashion for everyday dress, I've posted a picture of some "house frocks" (also "house dresses") from 1921. House frocks were mainly worn by housewives and were inexpensive, practical garments for doing chores in. Ideally they were also smart enough to receive visitors in or wear to the local shops. For heavy, dirty housework an apron or overall would have been worn over the house frock to protect it.
I've copied the descriptions of the dresses from the "National" catalogue below. Being easy to launder was a selling point, as was the presence of pockets (not nearly as common in more formal garments).
17 T 501—Chambray-and-Gingham
You will like the novel style of this neat, becoming "Every-day" Dress combining a solid color Chambray guimpe waist with cuffs, "bib" front and skirt of harmonizing plaid gingham.
The waist fastens down center-front under the loose "bib" which is edged with white rick-rack braid, also used to trim cuffs and pockets. A sash belt of the plaid gingham runs through loops and ties in back. Gathered skirt closes invisibly at side.
17 T 502—Figured Voile
Where could you find a more attractive dress for only $1.98 than this "NATIONAL" Every-Day Dress of Printed Cotton Voile? The material wears well and launders splendidly.
The wide collar of white organdie finished with plaited frill adds a dainty touch. Flare cuffs finish the sleeves. Skirt shows a gathered lower portion attached to a yoke. Self-material sash belt.
17 T 503—Plaid Gingham
You will thoroughly enjoy wearing this stylish "NATIONAL" "Every-Day" Dress either on the street or in the house. It is so smartly designed and is of such pretty Plaid Gingham.
A becoming double collar of dainty white organdie edged with lace finishes the neck. Vestee, cuffs and novel pockets are trimmed with white organdie folds. Gingham sash belt. Gathered skirt. Invisible side-front closing.
17 T 504—Plaid Voile
For warm weather wear, choose this cool dainty "Every-Day" Dress of sheer Printed Plaid Voile. It is a style appropriate for both house and street. The becoming collar is of sheer white organdie, attractively embroidered. White organdie folds trim vestee and cuffs; and white piping finishes the novel bands that trim the gathered skirt in tunic effect. Self-material belt. Dress closes invisibly at side-front.
17 T 505—Chambray One-Piece Dress
For general warm weather wear, you can select no more practical "Every-Day" Dress than this comfortable and becoming model of good quality Chambray. The serviceable material has spendid laundering qualities and the straight cut one-piece style makes the dress especially easy to iron.
Front is made in panel effect with a deep plait stitched to yoke depth at either side, giving fulness. Collar, cuffs and pocket trimming are of checked gingham. Chambray belt. Black poplin tie. Invisible side-front closing.
17 T 506—Checked Voile
Much too stylish and pretty just for house wear is this smart new "Every-Day" Dress of cool sheer Printed Check Voile. It is so perfectly appropriate for street and porch wear.
It is made with the new basque-effect waist, tying with sash ends in crossover style. White organdie collar and cuffs are edged with voile ruffles. Soft draped side sections trim the gathered skirt. Invisible front-to-side closing.
17 T 507—French Finish Linene
Here is a smart "Every-Day" Dress that we can recommend for its serviceability as well as its becomingness. The French finish Linene wears splendidly and will launder very satisfactorily.
The dress follows a simple one-piece style with low skirt portion forming an extension pocket at either side. Pipings of contrasting color linene trim collar, sleeves, belt and skirt. Self-material belt holds fulness at waist-line. Pearl buttons add a smart touch. Front closing.
17 T 508—Check Gingham
You will thoroughly enjoy wearing this "Every-Day" Dress—it is so smart and becoming, yet you need not fear soiling it, because it launders easily. The material is a good weight Checked Gingham that will give splendid service,
White pique, prettily trimmed with hand-embroidery, forms the long collar, and the cuffs are of pique also. Pearl buttons trim vestee. Novel pockets finish the gathered skirt. Self-material belt. Invisible side-front closing.
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