Gold silk and blue velvet dress, ca. 1880

The interior of this dress is so beautiful it is no surprise that the maker added her label. Waistbands of petersham ribbon were common in dress bodices from the 1870s through to the 1910s. While they anchored the waist of the bodice, they also served as a place for the dressmaker to add her name and address. One of the benefits of custom made clothing is that it can compensate for perceived figure flaws. A peak inside this bodice reveals that the bust has been generously enhanced with padding.

Around 1880, skirts were relatively slim down the legs but finished in a wide, sweeping train. To keep the train from folding in on itself and from wearing out on the floor, the floorside of the skirt was finished with rows and rows of ruffles. The term in French for the bottom ruffle is balayeuse, which means sweeper. This cotton ruffle was easily replaced once it wore out. The fullness at the back of the petticoat was created by tying the sides together with tapes. The ties in this skirt combine elastic and silk ribbons. Such ties are typical of the full bustle skirts of the 1880s. While a similar concept to the ties in the 18^th century skirt, these run horizontally when tied rather than vertically.

9. Gold silk and blue velvet ensemble
   Label: “Mrs. C. Donigan 109 West 12th St. New York”
   American, ca. 1880
   Jacquard woven gold silk, ivory taffeta, silk fringe, dark blue velvet, petersham waistband, baleen (whalebone), ivory cotton petticoat, starched cotton ruffles and lace, buckram
   Gift of Elizabeth Macintyre, KSUM 1995.49.1 a-c

Gold silk and blue velvet dress, ca. 1880, KSUM 1995.49.1 a-c.

The interior of this dress is so beautiful it is no surprise that the maker added her label.

One of the benefits of custom made clothing is that it can compensate for perceived figure flaws. A peak inside this bodice reveals that the bust has been generously enhanced with padding.

Waistbands of petersham ribbon were common in dress bodices from the 1870s through to the 1910s. While they anchored the waist of the bodice, they also served as a place for the dressmaker to add her name and address.

The fullness at the back of the petticoat was created by tying the sides together with tapes. The ties in this skirt combine elastic and silk ribbons. Such ties are typical of the full bustle skirts of the 1880s.

Around 1880, skirts were relatively slim down the legs but finished in a wide, sweeping train. To keep the train from folding in on itself and from wearing out on the floor, the floorside of the skirt was finished with rows and rows of ruffles. The term in French for the bottom ruffle is balayeuse, which means sweeper. This cotton ruffle was easily replaced once it wore out.

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