Evening dress
Retailer
Joseph Johnson
c. 1895
Silk satin and lace
Museum purchase
Object number2007.27.1
The waist of this evening gown measures an atypically slender 18 inches. Although stories of severely tight-laced corsets are almost certainly exaggerated, women often did lace more tightly for formal occasions. The full, puffed sleeves of dresses during the 1890s also made waists appear even smaller.
DescriptionTwo-piece evening dress in pink silk satin self patterned with floral design; decollete bodice with lace trim, short puffed sleeves on drop shoulder, slanted boning and pointed F and B waist; floor length bell skirt with pleated insets of plain satin and matching grosgrain ribbon ties to support raised back fullness and train; muslin and horsehair backing, hem paddingCollections
Exhibitions