Trousers
Date1810-1820
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Toano
MediumLinen, cotton, bone
DimensionsWaist: 30 inches
Inseam: 34 inches
Outseam: 49.5 inches
Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA
Object number2022-123
DescriptionVery high waisted trousers with a full fall extending from side seam to side seam. They are constructed from a variegated herring bone twilled linen, with a finer twilled linen for waistband linings, and plain woven cotton for pocket bags. Two small pockets sit under the flap front. Three buttons close the center front of waistband and the flap closes with five across the top. The waistbands also retain their original bone suspender or braces buttons.Label TextMen in the 19th century began to wear loose legged trouser fashionably, leaving off breeches that ended at the knee and tight fitted pantaloons. These linen trousers would have been worn fashionably high above the waist and were held in place with the use of suspenders or braces.
ProvenanceThese trousers were purchased at Suzi's Antiques in Farmville, Va. They came with a history of being worn in the Taliaferro or Talbot families living in Toano, Virginia.
