Skip links

Clothing and Textiles: Two Piece Blue Silk Dress, c 1904

Share

This c. 1904 two piece blue ensemble was donated in 1969. The donor remains unknown.

The dress is made of blue silk with a swirling pattern of dots, and trimmed with lace at the hem, wrists and shoulders. The shoulders and wrists are decorated with black ribbon, and the front of the bodice showcases an alternating pattern of striped silk ribbon and chiffon. The mono-bosom of this dress is a perfect example of fashionable silhouettes from the time period.

Modest dresses, bodies molded by corsets, and ostentatious ornamentation dominated women’s fashion throughout the first ten years of the century. Sleeves maintained slimness up until 1904, when they started to balloon outwards. Skirts featured heavily embellished ruffled hems and short trains that flared out like a trumpet.

The additional images from the time period showcase fashion plates and similar styles.

VIEW MORE FROM OUR COLLECTION

We are excited to announce that construction on the Jim and Dede Bartlett Center for New Canaan History is underway! Events will occur as scheduled, but because of the logistical challenges in the main building, the portrait exhibition is available by appointment only. Please contact ngeary@nchistory.org.

WE WILL BE CLOSED FOR RESEARCH UNTIL June 4th.