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Gift of Margaret Brockway Ofslager, 1978.45.38a-b  Photograph by David Stansbury.  © 2009 The C…
Bicycle Dress
Gift of Margaret Brockway Ofslager, 1978.45.38a-b Photograph by David Stansbury. © 2009 The Connecticut Historical Society.

Bicycle Dress

Clothing MakerMade by Unknown
Dateabout 1895-1905
MediumMachine-stitched wool, with metal snaps
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across shoulders): 19 1/2 x 18in. (49.5 x 45.7cm)
Other (sleeve length): 24in. (61cm)
Other (waist circumference): 27in. (68.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Margaret Brockway Ofslager
DescriptionDark gray plain-woven worsted bicycling outfit consisting of a bodice and matching bloomers. The bodice (a) has a sailor collar and full, gathered sleeves. The sleeves are gathered into the cuff at the top of the wrist only. A placket covers the snap closure at center front. The bodice is gathered into a band at the waist. The bodice snaps to the bloomers along this band.

The bloomers (b) are very full, gathered into the waistband with wide knife pleats across the front and more numerous, narrower knife pleats across the back. The bloomers close with snaps over the proper left hip. The legs of the bloomers are gathered into a cuff, with a narrow strip of elastic at the bottom that extends out of the cuff and can be tied to fit.
Object number1978.45.38a-b
Subject Terms
    On View
    Not on view
    Connecticut Historical Society collection, 1986.238.0, Connecticut Historical Society, Public D…
    Unknown
    about 1891-1910
    Connecticut Historical Society collection, 1987.265.0a,b  © 2013 The Connecticut Historical Soc…
    Unknown
    about 1900-1910
    Gift of Jean B. Rowley, 1959.72.20.1, Connecticut Historical Society, Public Domain
    Unknown
    about 1920
    The First Appearance.
    Elijah Chapman Kellogg
    1850-1851
    Miss Bloomer.
    Elijah Chapman Kellogg
    1850-1851
    Front of dress with evening bodice 2.

Gift of Mrs. Seth P. Holcombe and Mrs. Gilbert A. Wick…
    Mary Jane Buel
    about 1890-1895, altered from earlier dress
    Mary Elizabeth Smith
    about 1903-1905
    The Bloomer Costume
    Elijah Chapman Kellogg
    1850-1851