Dress thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Dress

ca. 1872 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a jaunty, sensible woman’s outfit of the early 1870s designed for boating or seaside walking. A hemline just at the ankle indicates a garment intended for walking outdoors. The style of the dress has been inspired by the colours and stripes of sailors' uniforms. It is made of cotton, so it is easily washed and dried. Despite its practical use, the ensemble still incorporates the details of fashionable dress, with an overskirt in front and a bustle worn underneath at the back.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Bodice
  • Skirt
  • Belt
Materials and techniques
Cotton, trimmed with silk braid, fastened with bone buttons
Brief description
Dress, ca. 1872, English; Blue and white cotton, sailor style
Physical description
The dress is inspired by the sailor suit, and the jacket, which is hip-length, has a square collar with scarf ends. There are no patch pockets on the pleated basque. The skirt is gored with a straight panel at the back, gathered at the waist, and lined with muslin. The over-skirt is pointed with patch pockets and a pocket in the seam. There is also a belt trimmed with a stitched bow with long ends. The outfit is unlined. This is a jaunty, sensible and comfortable though decorative seaside outfit of a kind which rarely survives.
Dimensions
  • Bodice back length: 55.9cm (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • Bodice across shoulders width: 35.6cm (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • Skirt back length: 102.9cm (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • Skirt waist diameter: 34.3cm (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • Belt length: 66cm (greatest) (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • Skirt hem diameter: 140.3cm (Note: measurement converted from department register)
Credit line
Given by Miss Juliet Reckitt and Messrs G. F. and A. L. Reckitt
Summary
This is a jaunty, sensible woman’s outfit of the early 1870s designed for boating or seaside walking. A hemline just at the ankle indicates a garment intended for walking outdoors. The style of the dress has been inspired by the colours and stripes of sailors' uniforms. It is made of cotton, so it is easily washed and dried. Despite its practical use, the ensemble still incorporates the details of fashionable dress, with an overskirt in front and a bustle worn underneath at the back.
Collection
Accession number
T.128 to B-1923

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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