Watteau back

American  

noun

1. a loose, full back of a woman's gown, formed by wide box pleats hanging from a high shoulder yoke and extending to the hem in an unbroken line.

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Watteau back British  

noun

1. a section at the back of a woman's dress that is caught in pleats or gathers at the neck and falls unbelted to the floor

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Etymology

Origin of Watteau back

First recorded in 1895–1900; after a type of gown depicted in paintings by Watteau

Example Sentences

Marion Cotillard was one of the first to walk the red carpet in a polka dot cutout Christian Dior Haute Couture dress with a Watteau back.

From Forbes • Feb. 22, 2015

"I wonder how a Watteau back like that would go on my blue alpaca?"

From The Pursuit of the House-Boat by Bangs, John Kendrick

“I wonder how a Watteau back like that would go on my blue alpaca?”

From The Pursuit of the House-Boat Being Some Further Account of the Divers Doings of the Associated Shades, under the Leadership of Sherlock Holmes, Esq. by Bangs, John Kendrick