Dress
1795-1800
Cotton muslin, silver wire, and silk taffeta
Museum purchase
Object number2018.16.1
The “silver muslin” fabric in this dress was hand-woven in India. The dress features a transitional silhouette that marks a major fashion shift from previous wider styles. The late 18th-century French fashion for white muslin gowns was inspired by colonial Caribbean styles and was further popularized by Marie Antoinette.
DescriptionWhite mull muslin dress with train, silver embroidered vines and floral sprigs overall, striped ivory and green metallic ribbon at CF bib bodice, shirred U-neckline, two part sleeve, rhinestone button at draped upper sleeve, ivory silk at long sleevesExhibitions