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
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 1976wilcox, 316bradfield, 253-4(1887)*moore, 112-1131860-1940 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
Holding Institution
Exhibition Notes
from 'Vassar Girls and Other Women: 1854-1925'exhibition, June 1993:22 piece brown merino wool bustle dress, 1880's1992.8abLater 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 September 12, 2024, https://vccc.vassarspaces.net/items/show/680.