Digital Collections

Evening Dress

Clothing/Dress/Costume

Evening dress of white cotton mull muslin, unlined. Squared neckline; bodice front shaped by dense gathering near sides at top and bottom. Short, full sleeves, gathered to bound cuff at outside of arm. Skirt is trained. Back opening, fastened with drawstrings at neckline and (raised) waist: there are four waistline drawstrings in two channels, each string running through both back pieces, with a pair tied together at each side, allowing them to be pulled to the front under the gown and tied by the wearer. The mull was embroidered with chain and satin stitch in white silk (likely in India) before making up. Front of bodice and skirt are embroidered with alternating six-petalled flowers and weeping-willow-esque patterns in a stripe down the front, and with five-pointed leaves and round seed pods (likely depicting American sweetgum leaves and fruit) around bottom on applied curved band. Hand sewn.

G2026.22.002

Bruce and Susan Greene Costume Collection

Adult, Female

Historic Costume

Dress

Female

Muslin

Cotton

White

1805 - 1810

19th Century

Early 19th Century

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