Object: Dress
Brand:
Miss Hair
(English)
Date: c. 1880
Medium: Taffeta, velvet, white lace, and metal
Country: England
Credit Line: Museum purchase
Object number: P82.7.3
DescriptionBodice: royal blue taffeta; 4 cm stand collar, white lace ruffle; princess back with multipleated center back seam below waistline; 3/4 fitted sleeve with blue velvet band and bow trim above cuff; white lace ruffle cuff; front fitted with waist dart, self pleated jabot at center front, vertical velvet band trim; cotton sateen lining with boning; 15 metallic button center front closing. Matching skirt; 3 cm grey twill tape waistband; bustle panel back; demi train; velvet panel either side back; horizontal rows of self pleating and velvet with fringe on front; hook closing
Label Text:This dress is meant to be worn with a bustle. Bustles were understructures made of wire or padding designed to extend the silhouette of a skirt considerably at the back. This new silhouette created the illusion that the wearer had a full and ample posterior.
Exhibitions:
- The Body: Fashion and Physique