Wedding Dress
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1865-1870
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with wool hem tape, brass hooks and eyes, silk-covered ferrous metal buttons, and unidentified boning (probably baleen)
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 62 x 18in. (157.5 x 45.7cm)
Hem (circumference): 182in. (462.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Roger T. Waite
Object number1982.23.0a-d
DescriptionWoman's brown silk day dress with matching belt (.b) and cape collar (.c). The dress has a high, round neckline, dropped shoulder, and coat sleeves. The bodice closes at center front with brass hooks and eyes. The right side of the opening edge is decorated with non-functional buttons that are silk-covered metal and resemble acorns. Across the bodice front and back are stitched two rows of doubled bias self-fabric, emphasizing the wide shoulderline. This same, simple decoration appears on the sleeves at the wrist. The neckline and armscye seams are piped. The bodice is fitted with two five-inch darts on either side of the opening; the darts are boned, as are the side seams. The lining of the bodice is tan twill-woven cotton.
The skirt is flat in front, pleated at the hips, and cartridge-pleated at the back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The lining of the skirt is beige glazed cotton. The bottom of the skirt is lined additionally with 8 1/2 inches of brown plain-woven cotton, and the edge is bound with brown wool tape. The waistband of the skirt is covered by a separate belt (.b) of the same brown silk and edged with a double row of self-fabric set on the bias. It is decorated with a self-fabric rosette (2 3/4 inches in diameter), centered with an acorn-like button.
Over the shoulders is worn a matching separate cape collar (.c), which is pointed at center front, over the shoulders, and at center back. It is trimmed with two rows of the doubled bias strips of self-fabric. The neckline is piped.
The skirt is flat in front, pleated at the hips, and cartridge-pleated at the back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The lining of the skirt is beige glazed cotton. The bottom of the skirt is lined additionally with 8 1/2 inches of brown plain-woven cotton, and the edge is bound with brown wool tape. The waistband of the skirt is covered by a separate belt (.b) of the same brown silk and edged with a double row of self-fabric set on the bias. It is decorated with a self-fabric rosette (2 3/4 inches in diameter), centered with an acorn-like button.
Over the shoulders is worn a matching separate cape collar (.c), which is pointed at center front, over the shoulders, and at center back. It is trimmed with two rows of the doubled bias strips of self-fabric. The neckline is piped.
Status
Not on view
5 June 1862
