Wedding Dress
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1872
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and starched cotton, with bobbin lace, needle lace, metal hooks and eyes, unidentified boning (probably baleen), cotton and wax faux flowers, and silk-covered wooden (?) buttons
DimensionsBodice (front length x width across shoulders): 22 x 15in. (55.9 x 38.1cm)
Skirt (front length x waist circumference): 44 x 24 1/2in. (111.8 x 62.2cm)
Bodice (center back length): 27in. (68.6cm)
Skirt (back length): 74in. (188cm)
Hem: 154in. (391.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Francis M. Reed
Object number1951.18.0a-b
DescriptionWoman's dress of cream-colored silk faille, consisting of a separate bodice (a) and skirt (b). The bodice is decorated with a square plastron of ruched self-fabric at the neckline, bordered by a pleated ruffle of self-fabric. The neckline is high and round, edged with a standing pleated ruffle of the faille. A ruffle of fine needlelace trims the inside of the neck. The sleeves are cut in the coat style; the top of the sleeves are of ruched self-fabric with a pleated ruffle and bow at the elbow area. The wrists are trimmed with a pleated ruffle. The bodice extends in two points on either side of the opening, which are decorated with self-fabric bows. The opening fastens with hooks and eyes in the plastron area and with four self-covered buttons below the plastron. The neckline in the back of the bodice is trimmed in a V-shape with the pleated ruffle. Two short V-shaped tails extend at the back of the bodice; these are edged with the pleated ruffle. A bow effect is created by gathering up the fabric at the center back waistline, over the tails. The bodice is fitted with two 7 1/2-inch-long darts on either side of the center front opening. Cotton wadding is used to pad the bust area inside the bodice. The bodice lining is cream-colored, plain-woven silk. A woven ribbon petersham hooks around the waist to relieve strain on the seams.
The skirt has a very long train. It is smooth in front and cartridge-pleated across the center back. A rounded apron-like upper layer is edged with pleated self-ruffle. The skirt underneath is trimmed around the bottom with two rows of ruching and a pleated flounce. At the back, the skirt is pulled up to create a bustle effect, with a bow and a bunch of faux flowers (they appear to be orange blossoms and lilies of the valley) to the left of the center back. The skirt is lined with layers of very stiffly starched cotton. It fastens at center back with a large hook and eye.
The skirt has a very long train. It is smooth in front and cartridge-pleated across the center back. A rounded apron-like upper layer is edged with pleated self-ruffle. The skirt underneath is trimmed around the bottom with two rows of ruching and a pleated flounce. At the back, the skirt is pulled up to create a bustle effect, with a bow and a bunch of faux flowers (they appear to be orange blossoms and lilies of the valley) to the left of the center back. The skirt is lined with layers of very stiffly starched cotton. It fastens at center back with a large hook and eye.
Status
Not on view
5 June 1862
