Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Marie L. Brown
(1848 - 1874)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1870
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with wool hem tape, boning (probably baleen), and brass hooks and eyes
DimensionsBodice (back length x width across shoulders): 26 x 15in. (66 x 38.1cm)
Bodice (front length): 20 1/2in. (52.1cm)
Skirt (back length): 43in. (109.2cm)
Skirt (front length): 40in. (101.6cm)
Hem (circumference): 116in. (294.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Phyllis Kihn
Object number1980.38.2a-c
DescriptionBrilliant blue silk, three-piece dress consisting of a bodice (a), a skirt (b), and an overskirt (c). The bodice is fitted over the hips, and dipped at center front and center back. The neckline is high and round, and the bodice closes at center front with nine self-covered buttons. The front of the bodice is decorated with a 2 1/4-inch-wide strip of self-fabric, which is pleated around the back of the neck, and then sewn down smoothly along the lower edge in a V-shape to the bodice center front. The top edge of this strip is folded over to create a pointed revers; the lower edge of the entire strip is trimmed with blue silk fringe. The sleeves are approximately coat-shaped, and trimmed with a ruching of self-fabric above the wrist openings. The bottom edge of the bodice is finished with thick self-covered piping; the armscye seams are inserted with narrower piping, and the neckline has a fine piped edge. Falling below the waistline at the bodice back are two tails, nine inches long by 5 3/4 inches wide, piped and trimmed with blue silk fringe and self-fabric bows. They are topped at the center back with two self-covered buttons. The bodice is fitted with two five-inch-long darts on either side of the center front opening; these darts are boned, as are the side seams. The bodice is lined with tan cotton sateen, with blue polished cotton lining below the waistline.
The skirt (b) is flat in front and gathered around the hips and back onto a replacement silk waistband. The gathering is not original. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The skirt is lined with tan, plain-woven cotton, with an additional 12-inch-wide lining of blue glazed cotton around the bottom. The edge is bound with blue wool tape. The skirt is pieced with variously sized triangular gores to add width around the bottom.
The overskirt (c) is apron-shaped, with a rounded panel that covers the front and sides, trimmed with a wide ruffle of self-fabric. At center back are two 41 1/2-inch long tails, also trimmed at the ends with the self-fabric ruffle. The overskirt is lined with blue glazed cotton.
The skirt (b) is flat in front and gathered around the hips and back onto a replacement silk waistband. The gathering is not original. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The skirt is lined with tan, plain-woven cotton, with an additional 12-inch-wide lining of blue glazed cotton around the bottom. The edge is bound with blue wool tape. The skirt is pieced with variously sized triangular gores to add width around the bottom.
The overskirt (c) is apron-shaped, with a rounded panel that covers the front and sides, trimmed with a wide ruffle of self-fabric. At center back are two 41 1/2-inch long tails, also trimmed at the ends with the self-fabric ruffle. The overskirt is lined with blue glazed cotton.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object
