Chemise
1880-1910 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The nineteenth century saw more changes in children's fashion, more variety and more consumer choice than ever before, and one of the greatest areas of innovation and custom was that of underwear. Not only did the increasing layers of underclothes sit well with prevailing notions of modesty, it was realised that efficient use of underclothing could save a good deal of cleaning of the outer clothes:
Every moisture or impurity, should be instantly removed, and as those parts of the dress which are next to the skin are constantly imbibing perspirable matter, they should be changed frequently. Indeed, the same clothes ought never to be kept on for many days together. Away with finery; but take care that the child is always clean and dry."
(The New Female Instructor, 1834)
Every moisture or impurity, should be instantly removed, and as those parts of the dress which are next to the skin are constantly imbibing perspirable matter, they should be changed frequently. Indeed, the same clothes ought never to be kept on for many days together. Away with finery; but take care that the child is always clean and dry."
(The New Female Instructor, 1834)
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, tape, lace |
| Brief description | Chemise for a child, of white linen; England, 1880-1910 |
| Physical description | Child's chemise of white linen, cut in the conventional 19th century way with a squared neck formed by folding down the front and back flaps and the inward-sloping sides of the neck. The vestigial sleeves consist of feather-stitched strips of broderie anglaise edged with lace, as are the neck sides. The side seams divide into gussetted vents at the hem, and the garment fastens around the chest with tying tapes attached to one flap and threaded through tape loops on the other |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | J.D.Mackenzie 2 (Marked in ink)
|
| Credit line | Given by Dr.E.M.Wallis |
| Object history | Gift of Dr.E.M.Wallis (RF 87/940) |
| Summary | The nineteenth century saw more changes in children's fashion, more variety and more consumer choice than ever before, and one of the greatest areas of innovation and custom was that of underwear. Not only did the increasing layers of underclothes sit well with prevailing notions of modesty, it was realised that efficient use of underclothing could save a good deal of cleaning of the outer clothes: Every moisture or impurity, should be instantly removed, and as those parts of the dress which are next to the skin are constantly imbibing perspirable matter, they should be changed frequently. Indeed, the same clothes ought never to be kept on for many days together. Away with finery; but take care that the child is always clean and dry." (The New Female Instructor, 1834) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.1236-1991 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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