Medium: Purple and black silk taffeta

Date: c. 1860

Country: England

Credit: Museum purchase

The striped silk taffeta of this dress, in black and bright purple, is indicative of the vivid colors aniline dyes had recently made possible. Natural purple dyes, long associated with status, were difficult to extract and were therefore expensive. The first of the chemical synthetic dyes was mauve; patented and marketed under the name Mauveine, it brought purple to the masses. This simple and modest afternoon dress is very characteristic of its time, with a natural waist, high neck, and expansive hoop skirt. Self-fabric patches trimmed in piping use the material on the diagonal to create subtle texture and visual interest at the wrist as they contrast the vertical stripes of the sleeves.

Object Number: 2006.43.1