50s folk cropped blouse - hand-smocked neckline & wrists, cutwork embroideryThis vintage cropped blouse is rooted in Central Eastern European folk dress traditions where the bodice of the outfit (a vest, corset, or structured overlayer) covered the torso while the blouses sleeves remained visible. In that system, the blouse's shortened body was intentional. The neckline and wrists are finished with very intensive hand smocking (no elastic!) a labor heavy technique used to tame volume and create structure without stiffness.