Bodice

Description

Woman's bodice in purple silk, part of a dress ensemble (A.1977.737.1-3), with high round neckline trimmed with lace, fitted to waist with a flared skirt, fastening centre front with seven buttons, wrist length sleeves, trimmed with purple satin silk: European, possibly British, c. 1873 - 1875

Museum reference

A.1977.737.1

Collection

Fashion and Textiles

Object name

Bodice

Production information

Unknown
Europe

Date

c. 1870

Materials

Silk, Cotton

Physical description

Woman's bodice in purple silk with a very fine rib weave. High neckline with very short standing collar trimmed with a narrow frill of bobbin lace. Centre front fastening with seven buttons covered in purple satin silk. Bodice fitted to the waist, with a short skirt flaring over the hips and two tails at the back. Bodice trimmed with a flat panel of satin silk extending from a v-point at the back of the neck, down each front side and around the bottom edges of the bodice skirt. Tails at back of bodice skirt are trimmed with an applied panel of self-material, edged with purple satin silk and trimmed with a purple satin silk covered button, in imitation of men's tail coats. Centre back waist of bodice trimmed with two purple satin silk covered buttons. Sleeves are wrist length, widening slightly around the elbow and lower arm, trimmed with a cuff in pleats of self-material edged with purple satin silk, caught together at the centre with bands of self-material and satin trim. Shoulder seams of the sleeves are piped. Bodice has a small watch pocket on the wearer's left front waistline. Skirt area of the bodice faced with purple silk, body and sleeves are lined with cotton, inside waist has a cotton tape waistband fastening centre front with two metal hooks and eyes (the hooks have been replaced at a later date), inside of each shoulder seam also has a single cotton tape tie: European, possibly British, c. 1870s.

Exhibitions

• Fashion and Style (08 Jul 2016)
  National Museum of Scotland