1866 Dress

Date: ca. 1866 - Material: Silk taffeta - Accession: 2001.191.1.031

By the mid-1860s, the fullness of the skirt had moved to the back. This golden tan silk water taffeta bodice and trained skirt has a beaded leaf design across the bodice and over the dropped shoulder with two leaves on the back of the arm and trailing down the back of the sleeve. The tightly corseted bodice is boned in seven places and comes to a sharp point in front and back. The bodice has self piping at its base and is connected to the skirt with a hook and eye. Fourteen fabric covered buttons with bead edges adorn the center of the bodice. The skirt is unadorned with a proper left side closure and has a flat front with knife pleats radiating from the hip bones area across both sides to the back. The back has tight gathers creating fullness. The skirt is gored with seven panels.

Donated to the University of Illinois Bevier Historic Costume Collection by Mrs. Donald L. Kemmerer. Property transfer to the Illinois State Museum, 2001.