Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mary Elizabeth Carter
American, 1842 - 1935
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1871
MediumMachine-stitched wool, cotton, and silk, with brass hooks and eyes, cotton wadding, and baleen boning
DimensionsSkirt (front length): 42in. (106.7cm)
Hem (circumference): 172in. (436.9cm)
Bodice (length x width across shoulders): 14 x 15 1/2in. (35.6 x 39.4cm)
Hem (circumference): 172in. (436.9cm)
Bodice (length x width across shoulders): 14 x 15 1/2in. (35.6 x 39.4cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Frances Ellen Brinley
DescriptionWoman's wedding dress, consisting of a bodice (a) and skirt (b), of fine cream-colored wool, with satin trim. The bodice has a high, round neck and center front opening which fastens with hooks and eyes. The shoulderline is dropped; the neckline, armscye seams, and waistline edge are piped. The waistline is slightly dipped. In a square around the neck, front and back, is a decorative trimming of a 1 1/2-inch-wide bias band of silk satin, edged with a pleated ruffle of silk picot ribbon. The bell-shaped sleeves are similarly decorated about 1 3/4 inches above the opening edge. The sleeves are lined with plain-woven cream-colored silk, and the inside opening edge is trimmed with the pleated ribbon. The bodice is fitted with two 4 3/4-inch-long darts on either side of the opening; the darts are boned. Plain-woven white cotton is used for the bodice lining; glazed white cotton covers cotton wadding in the bust area. The center back of the bodice was decorated with a large satin bow at the waistline. (This bow is now loose.)
The skirt is flat in front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated across the back. It has a train. A wide band of satin is stitched around the skirt at below-knee height. The skirt is lined with stiff net and glazed white cotton. The bottom edge is bound with self-fabric.
The skirt is flat in front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated across the back. It has a train. A wide band of satin is stitched around the skirt at below-knee height. The skirt is lined with stiff net and glazed white cotton. The bottom edge is bound with self-fabric.
Object number1958.42.3a-b
NotesHistorical Note: Mary Elizabeth Carter (1842-1935) married George P. Brinley of Newington, Connecticut, on 21 October 1871 in Harlem, Illinois.Subject Terms
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