Esther Johnston McDonald (1868-1941) wore this black evening or dinner dress. It is believed that Mrs. Justina W. Thomas made the dress, which features a long slim lace skirt, a standing collar and neckline framed by shoulder swags of heavily fringed satin. Thomas worked in the Munjoy Hill area.

The raised waist fashion signifies the combined influences of the dress reform movement, and French designer Paul Poirot. Poirot's name was likely familiar to style conscious Maine women who closely followed fashion. News of designers and the latest modes crossed the Atlantic rapidly to be quickly disseminated through local newspaper fashion features and fashion magazines.