Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Dress

Object Number

1939-10-2

Description

The dress is made of bright blue-green silk and cream colored lace. The neck is square shaped and decorated with a small bow at the bottom. A band with five horizontal pleats accentuates the waist. Two wide bands run fom the waistline in the back and extend over the shoulders and down the front. The bands each have three pleats and are detailed with three buttons at the waist band and with fringe at the bottom. The band that extends over the wearer's left shoulder is noticably shorter than the one on the right. Of some interest are the small weights at the bottom of each band that help keep the light-weight fabric in place. The sleeves are constructed of silk and lace. Lace extends from the shoulder to approximately the elbow. The top half of the lace, the part closest to the shoulder, is covered in silk except for a small opening at the upper arm. Another small piece of silk is wrapped around the lace farther down the arm for additional decoration. The skirt is full and extends from the waist with a slight flair. The pleated waistband extends all the way around the around the dress. A solid piece of fabric is at the center of the waistband in the back and this is decorated with three buttons. The two pleated bands which extended down the front continue on the back and terminate in a V-shape at the waistband. The skirt is gathered at the back for a fuller effect. The skirt has a slight train, which could be for a bustle. The inside of the bodice is lined with linen. There are four stays, although at one time there may have been more. There are small pieces of cloth located at the underarm which would have protected the garment from staining. The dress was fastened in two ways. It was first fastened with a set of nine hooks and eyes that are attached to the linen lining. There are then nine more hooks and eyes that extend from below the waist to the bottom of the neck.

Comment

Original dress made in 1874, later altered in 1917