Brown Wool and Velvet Bustle Ensemble
Dublin Core
Identifier
VC1992008
Title
Brown Wool and Velvet Bustle Ensemble
Alternative Title
Brown Bustle Dress
Description
Ensemble (day dress) of brown merino wool and velvet, with basque bodice and bustled skirt; bodice has standing velvet collar and velvet lapels, center front button closure with brown crochet covered buttons, 2 piece set in sleeve with velvet cuff, brown polished cotton lining, metal boning inserted in seams and finished with off-white hand overcasting, inner waistband of off-white cotton twill tape with metal hook and eye closures; two layer full length bustle skirt: bottom layer has trim at hemline, swag on top has bustle at back, small bustle pad of net stuffing inserted in skirt at center back.
Date
1880 (circa)
Subject
Clothing and dress
Extent
23.75 inches (waist), other measurements: bodice (a) L at CB=23, skirt(b) Lat CB=41.5
Medium
boning
cotton
crochet
merino
metal
net
cotton
batting
twill tape
velvet
wool
Type
Physical Object
Spatial Coverage
United States
Temporal Coverage
1870s
1880s
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Rights Holder
© Vassar College Costume Collection. Images in this collection may be used for teaching, classroom presentation, and research purposes only. For other reuse, reproduction and publication of these images, contact costumeshop@vassar.edu.
Costume Item Type Metadata
Source Identifier
VC1992008
Cataloguer with Date
Arden Kirkland 1/12/2009
Color Main
brown
Color Secondary
white
Technique
hand sewing
crocheting
Costume Component
lining
Dimensions Waist
23.75
Dimensions Other
bodice (a) L at CB=23, skirt(b) Lat CB=41.5
Dimensions All
23.75 inches (waist), other measurements: bodice (a) L at CB=23, skirt(b) Lat CB=41.5
References
brown merino 2 piece dress, 1883 of vassar Quarterly article, Fall 1976 wilcox, 316 bradfield, 253-4(1887)* moore, 112-113 1860-1940 Arnold, 38
Date Earliest
1875
Date Latest
1885
Culture
American
Gender
womenswear
Classification
costume
clothing
Category
Bustle Ensembles
Exhibitions
Vassar Girls and Other Women PASWORD 2007 PASWORD 2008 Fashion and the Feminine 10/07 Engl 101-17
Public Information
An 1880's 'Vassar girl' could have worn this dress for many different midday activites, appearing in the more public settings of the classroom or even outdoors. As young women began to receive the type of education previously given only to men, they also were able to begin to adopt a more traditionally masculine style of dress, characterized by more sober colors and the two or even three piece elements similar to those of men's suits. Such dark colors and simple designs, mainly since they did not appear to be soiled as quickly, were certainly more practical for a woman to wear on the bustling city streets that accompanied the growth of industrialization.
Condition Term
excellent
Condition
skirt is a little wrinkled
Mannequin
1992.008.ab
Storage Location
F6
Repository
Vassar College Costume Collection, Drama Department, 124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
Exhibition Notes
from 'Vassar Girls and Other Women: 1854-1925'exhibition, June 1993: 2 2 piece brown merino wool bustle dress, 1880's 1992.8ab Later in the day, appearing in the more public settings of the classroom or even outdoors, an 1880's 'Vassar girl' could have worn this dress. As young women began to receive the type of education previously given only to men, they also were able to begin to adopt a more traditionally masculine style of dress, characterized by more sober colors and the two or even three piece elements similar to those of men's suits. Such dark colors and simple designs, mainly since they did not appear to be soiled as quickly, were certainly more practical for a woman to wear on the bustling city- streets that accompanied the growth of industrialization.
Work Type
dress
Related Items:
Comments
Spring 2020 Student
Narrowed down date to 1881-1883.