Dating to the early 1830s or very late 1820s this infant dress is quite
a rarity. Made of cotton in a tiny floral print the dress echoes the
styles popular for women of the period with the full beret style
sleeves capped with pointed epaulets.
The huge gigot sleeves on this vibrant polychrome roller printed cotton child's dress date it squarely in the romantic era, mid 1830's when sleeves were at their fullest. The bodice features dropped shoulders and a widened decollete that was also in fashion during the romantic period.
Hand made by Miss Emily Porter in the 1830's prior to her marriage to
James H. Ferre, this cotton sateen transitional corset or stays has
survived with its provenance in the form of a hand written note, still
attached to one of the bone grommets in the back.
Calash Bonnets were popular from about 1770 through 1830 or so, and
were designed to protect the towering hairdos that were popular during
that period.
As the popularity of the lightweight and delicate "chemise" gowns of
the early 19th century began to wane woven silks which were not
addaptable to the earlier styles began to be used once again. The pale
pink silk dating to circa 1770 was then used to make this fashionable
walking dress circa 1815.
The simplicity of fashions of the early 1800s gave way in the 1820s to
a more exuberant style seen in the emboldened fabrics and surface
decoration. Rouleaux were used for decoration as well as to add body
where needed such as the hemline of a skirt or dress.
Dating to the mid 18th century, this lovely silk brocade cap with
metallic thread features two different floral brocades and is trimmed
with metallic lace. Lined in linen it is edged in silk ribbon and
appears to have its original silk ribbon ties intact.
Made of one length of fine cotton net with handmade lace edging this
skirt is seamed down the center back and gauged to a cotton tape
waistband. Closing in back with a single brass hook and eye. Tulle was
popular in the first quarter of the 19th century and was often worn
over a more colorful skirt, dress or petticoat.
The pierrot was a close fitting, low necked jacket with short tails
that was popular in the 1780s to 1790s. This piece is made from a
striped and floral silk brocade in delicate shades of oyster, green and
peach.
This ladies coif of metallic silk brocade dates between 1720 and 1760.
Coifs were worn indoors as semi-formal dress, or when receiving
visitors whilst in bed.
Harold Koda: Poiret (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications)
Jonathan Walford: The Seductive Shoe: Four Centuries of Fashion Footwear
18th Century Costume in the National Museums and Galleries of Mersyside
Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900
Dangerous Liasons: Fashion and Furniture in the Eighteenth Century
What Clothes Reveal: The Language of Clothing in Colonial and Federal America
From Paris to Providence, Fashion, Art and the Tirocchi Dressmakers' Shop, 1915-1947
Style & Splendor: The Wardrobe of Queen Maud of Norway 1896-1938
