Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Adeline M. Lawrence
(American, 1810 - 1885)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1880
MediumHand-stitched and machine-stitched wool/silk and cotton, with plastic buttons, wool hem tape, and unidentified boning
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center front length x width across shoulders): 50 1/2 x 15 1/4in. (128.3 x 38.7cm)
Hem (circumference): 101 1/2in. (257.8cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of the estate of Mary P. Lewis
Object number1960.38.5
DescriptionWoman's day dress of brown and cream plaid barege (a fine, sheer wool and silk fabric). The dress has a high, round neckline finished with a 3 1/4-inch-wide turn-down collar, edged with brown wool cut on the bias. The inside of the neckline is edged with narrow, machine-made bobbin lace. The dress opens at center front from the neckline to the bottom flounce and fastens with thirteen round, dark brown plastic buttons. The sleeves are cut with an upper and lower seam like a coat sleeve, and are decorated around the wrist openings with a 3 1/2-inch-wide pointed band of the brown wool, piped with the barege and stitched with a button at the point. The armscyes are slightly lowered and piped. A bias flounce edged with brown wool surrounds the bottom of the dress. There is a patch pocket over the right lower hip made of the barege, topped with a faux flap of the brown wool with two non-functioning buttons. The skirt is gathered up with a ruffled edge across the back of the hips, emphasizing the fullness in a manner reminiscent of a bustle.
The dress is fitted with long darts, extending from the hips to the bust at both front and back. It has been made smaller by hand-stitching a tuck under the arm to the hipline. The center front button edge is boned under a casing of printed black and white "twill" check calico. There are several different lining fabrics used---light brown and dark brown cottons of different weights. The bottom edge of the dress is bound with brown wool tape.
The dress is fitted with long darts, extending from the hips to the bust at both front and back. It has been made smaller by hand-stitching a tuck under the arm to the hipline. The center front button edge is boned under a casing of printed black and white "twill" check calico. There are several different lining fabrics used---light brown and dark brown cottons of different weights. The bottom edge of the dress is bound with brown wool tape.
Status
Not on view
