Is This Damage or Is This Design?

[Charlene5]

I've solicited opinions from my family (a split decision) and now I need your opinion.  Are the white dots and white thingies on either side of the dress part of the dress or damage?  On one hand the thingies are symetrical and quite alike - but they're in a weird place and look funny to me.  Are the round things buttons?  What do you think?  I'd appreciate your opinion :)

[Tess (Tassie D)]

It looks too uniform to be damage. Each shoulder thingie is a mirror of the other. They seem to match up with the white bands around the wrist, possibly a cardigan that when done up has the white going around it?
The white dots look like damage as there is one on the womans collar in the foreground.

[rockthumper]

I agree with Tess. The white bars seem to be on the lapels of some kind of jacket.

[schen]

Same here.

[Charlene5]

Oh I think y'all are right!  Could it be like a shawl collar?  This photo is dated 1929 and I think they were fashionable then?

[rockthumper]

I think you have it Charlene. Here's a modern one:

[Charlene5]

Thanks everyone!  Those thingies were driving me mad.  Rockthumper that's exactly what I had in mind.  I think that the white of the thingies (and the cuffs) has gotten lighter over the years.  I've alread curved down someone else's blown white collar and lots of those big hard white blobs.  (There's a lot of 0-0-0 black in the picture too.)  I think if I calm down the highlight a bit it won't look so just stuck on there.  Darken it a bit, burn in a little suggestion of a shape, and that may do it.

Y'all are brilliant!  Thanks again.

MJ