Dress

Date1823-1829

MediumRed tabby silk, trimmed with self fabric shirring and satin ribbon; skirt fully lined and bodice partially lined with thin tabby cotton.

DimensionsOL: 52" Sleeves b & c each 20" long

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Cora Ginsburg

Object number1991-469,A

DescriptionWoman's gown of cherry red plain-woven silk, trimmed with satin ribbon and self fabric shirring and piping. Gown has low, shallow neckline and raised waistline with inset band. Bodice front has vertical bands of piped self fabric with shirred self fabric between bands. Small puffed sleeves are trimmed with piped bands laced through piped holes, giving chain effect. Skirt front is ungathered, falling from waistband with gores at sides for increased fullness; rear of skirt has extra gathered fullness concentrated at center back. Skirt ends in decorative hem treatment consisting of piped triangles of fabric, a red satin ribbon puff extending out of each triangle and a padded hem. Bodice back has center hook and eye closure. Back bodice is trimmed with shirred insets similar to the front. Cotton lining. Sleeve extensions (b & c) tie in place. These sleeve extensions are cut as tubes, gathered into buttoned, piped wristbands, with narrow straps fastened with hooks and eyes 2" above the wristband.
Label TextIn contrast to the eighteenth-century cone shape, the silhouette of women's clothing by the late 1820s was similar to an hourglass. The rounded, natural bust curved into a constricted waist. Gradually, sleeves became larger during the 1820s. This silk dress has removable long sleeve extensions that were pinned or basted to the short puffed sleeves to change the appearance for different occasions.

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