Brown Wool and Velvet Bustle Ensemble

Brief Item Record

Title: Brown Wool and Velvet Bustle Ensemble

Date: 1880 (circa)

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.

Full Item Record

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

Type

Physical Object

Spatial Coverage

Temporal Coverage

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

Cataloguer with Date

Arden Kirkland 1/12/2009

Color Main

Color Secondary

Costume Components

Waist

23.75

Measurements Other

bodice (a) L at CB=23, skirt(b) Lat CB=41.5

All Measurements

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

Gender

Classification

costume
clothing

Category

Exhibitions

Vassar Girls and Other WomenPASWORD 2007PASWORD 2008Fashion and the Feminine 10/07Engl 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 Description

skirt is a little wrinkled

Mannequin

1992.008.ab

Storage Location

F6

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

Citation

“Brown Wool and Velvet Bustle Ensemble,” Vassar College Costume Collection, accessed April 25, 2024, https://vccc.vassarspaces.net/items/show/680.

Related Items: