Object: Dress
Date: c. 1812
Medium: Silk
Country: Scotland
Credit Line: Museum purchase
Object number: P88.9.1
DescriptionTartan silk Empire dress with matching overbodice and sleeves, in predominantly red and white woven plaid; deep square neckline, short puffed sleeve variation with shirring; slightly A-line skirt vertically shirred at hem for scalloped effect; pom pom, braid, ribbon and tassel trim
Label Text:In his novel, Waverly, Sir Walter Scott described the lands of Scotland as covered in tartan, and in preparation for a visit by King George IV, Scott organized a tartan dress code. The king was so impressed that he adopted tartan as his official attire and began a trend for this pattern.
Exhibitions:
- The Tailor's Art
- Trend-ology
- Tartan