Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Dr. Julia Emily Skinner
American, 1840 - 1927
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1880
MediumBodice (a): Machine-stitched and hand-stitched silk, cotton, and horsehair, with shell buttons, cotton wadding, and baleen boning.
Skirt (b): Machine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with a metal hook and eye.
Cape (c): Machine-stitched and hand-stitched wool, silk, and cotton, with a metal hook and eye.
DimensionsBodice (center back length x width across shoulders): 26 1/2 x 14 1/4in. (67.3 x 36.2cm)
Other (bodice sash length): 28 1/2in. (72.4cm)
Skirt (center front length x hem circumference): 36 1/2 x 91in. (92.7 x 231.1cm)
Other (skirt center back length): 37in. (94cm)
Other (skirt waist circumference): 27in. (68.6cm)
Component (cape center front length): 13 1/2in. (34.3cm)
Other (cape center back length): 19in. (48.3cm)
Other (bodice sash length): 28 1/2in. (72.4cm)
Skirt (center front length x hem circumference): 36 1/2 x 91in. (92.7 x 231.1cm)
Other (skirt center back length): 37in. (94cm)
Other (skirt waist circumference): 27in. (68.6cm)
Component (cape center front length): 13 1/2in. (34.3cm)
Other (cape center back length): 19in. (48.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Howard B. Haylett
DescriptionWoman's dress of brown silk, consisting of a bodice (a) and skirt (b), with a shoulder cape (c) of brown wool. The cuirass bodice is long, extending over the hips. It has a high, round neckline, which is finished with piping. The center front opening fastens with fourteen dark shell buttons, carved with a grid design. The tight sleeves are cut with an upper and lower seam and are fitted smoothly into the armscye. The wrist openings of the sleeves are decorated with a band of ruched self-fabric flanked on each side by a knife-pleated ruffle; it is 3 1/4 inches wide. The bodice is swathed around the hips with contrasting fabric printed with a faux warp-print design of roses in black on a tan background, the effect looking like leopard fur. A long extension of this fabric hangs from the center back of the bodice in loops and tails. The bodice is lined with glazed brown cotton; all of the seams except for the curved side back seams are boned. It is wadded with cotton throughout the body for warmth. A folded and pleated pad of horsehair fabric is stitched at the center back hipline.
The skirt is decorated with vertical rows of knife pleats, and ruched self-fabric. The bottom edge is encircled by knife pleats. The center back, which is plain, is cartridge-pleated into the waistband. The fashion fabric begins on the front and sides of the skirt about four inches below the waistband; above this, only the brown twill-woven lining fabric appears. There is an in-seam pocket on the proper right side. The waistband fastens at center back with a large hook and eye.
The shoulder cape is wool of a similar brown color, trimmed around the neck with a box-pleated ruffle of wide, brown silk ribbon. The ribbon hangs in a long, loopy bow at center front, over the hook and eye closure. Seventeen closely spaced rows of topstitching create a border design around the edge of the cape, which is lined with brown silk. The neck edge is lined with brown cotton.
The skirt is decorated with vertical rows of knife pleats, and ruched self-fabric. The bottom edge is encircled by knife pleats. The center back, which is plain, is cartridge-pleated into the waistband. The fashion fabric begins on the front and sides of the skirt about four inches below the waistband; above this, only the brown twill-woven lining fabric appears. There is an in-seam pocket on the proper right side. The waistband fastens at center back with a large hook and eye.
The shoulder cape is wool of a similar brown color, trimmed around the neck with a box-pleated ruffle of wide, brown silk ribbon. The ribbon hangs in a long, loopy bow at center front, over the hook and eye closure. Seventeen closely spaced rows of topstitching create a border design around the edge of the cape, which is lined with brown silk. The neck edge is lined with brown cotton.
Object number1956.58.8a-c
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