Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Carrie Augusta Lincoln
(American, born 1849)
DressmakerMade by
Unknown
Date1874
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk faille and tulle, with artificial flowers made of cotton and wire, possibly also silk and wax
DimensionsBodice (center back length x width across shoulders): 27 x 16in. (68.6 x 40.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineProbably donated by Ada Louise Taylor or Caroline Taylor
Object number1960.126.1a,b
DescriptionCream-colored ribbed silk (faille) bodice and skirt. The bodice (.a) has a V-shaped neck, edged with cream-colored tulle, a long, sharply pointed waist in front, and a center front button closure decorated with a fringed self-fabric bow and a trailing bunch of fabric roses. The sleeves are set smoothly into the armscye; they are elbow-length, with a five-inch ruffle of tulle at the opening. The bottom edges of the bodice are piped with a finer-ribbed, tan-colored silk.
The back of the bodice extends into several layers of "tails." The outer tails are smooth extensions of the bodice, cut on a slant pointing to the center. Between these are two other tails arranged in accordian pleats; the left one being decorated by a self-fabric bow, and the right one being edged with the tulle. Three self-covered buttons worked with thread in a star pattern decorate the top of the pleats at center back.
The bodice is lined with a diagonal ribbed silk, also of a cream color. A petersham around the waist helps to alleviate stress on the tightly fitted bodice seams.
The skirt (.b) has a long train; the hem is edged on the inside with a double layer of stiffly starched, pleated cotton and coarse lace ruffle. The center front of the skirt has a faux opening edged with pleated ruffles of self-fabric, trimmed at the bottom with artificial flowers matching those on the bodice. The skirt lies smoothly in front, with only two narrow knife pleats over the hips. In back, the skirt is full to accomodate a bustle, with several layers of box pleats at center back, and a deep knife pleat to either side. The skirt is pleated into a narrow waistband of tan silk, which has a hook and eye closure. When the waistband is hooked, the skirt folds into a pleat behind the proper right hip; there is no opening in the skirt fabric. The skirt is wadded and lined with brown cambric; it is lined in the train with stiff, coarse cotton.
This dress was the wedding dress of Carrie A. Lincoln of Hartford, Connecticut. She married Edwin Taylor on 12 November 1874.
The back of the bodice extends into several layers of "tails." The outer tails are smooth extensions of the bodice, cut on a slant pointing to the center. Between these are two other tails arranged in accordian pleats; the left one being decorated by a self-fabric bow, and the right one being edged with the tulle. Three self-covered buttons worked with thread in a star pattern decorate the top of the pleats at center back.
The bodice is lined with a diagonal ribbed silk, also of a cream color. A petersham around the waist helps to alleviate stress on the tightly fitted bodice seams.
The skirt (.b) has a long train; the hem is edged on the inside with a double layer of stiffly starched, pleated cotton and coarse lace ruffle. The center front of the skirt has a faux opening edged with pleated ruffles of self-fabric, trimmed at the bottom with artificial flowers matching those on the bodice. The skirt lies smoothly in front, with only two narrow knife pleats over the hips. In back, the skirt is full to accomodate a bustle, with several layers of box pleats at center back, and a deep knife pleat to either side. The skirt is pleated into a narrow waistband of tan silk, which has a hook and eye closure. When the waistband is hooked, the skirt folds into a pleat behind the proper right hip; there is no opening in the skirt fabric. The skirt is wadded and lined with brown cambric; it is lined in the train with stiff, coarse cotton.
This dress was the wedding dress of Carrie A. Lincoln of Hartford, Connecticut. She married Edwin Taylor on 12 November 1874.
Status
Not on view
5 June 1862
Object/Object
