Ball dress

Add to album

This woman's white silk taffeta ball dress dates from between around 1852 and 1857. It was made in Britain and consists of a bodice and attached upper skirt over a plain underskirt.

The skirt is trimmed with white silk fringing. The boned bodice is very tight-fitting, as is the waistline which extends to a long point. The skirt is in two parts, both lined in a stiffened muslin. They are attached at the waist by unpressed pleats and help to create the very full skirts.

After 1856, full dress skirts were able to be supported by the artificial crinoline or hooped cage which was introduced early in in that year. The crinoline allowed women to discard the numerous starched or horsehair petticoats and gave them a sense of freedom. However, it did have a tendency to tilt up and reveal the ankles which had long been concealed.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-180-000-135-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1981.556 A
• Date: Between around 1852 and 1857
  c. 1852 - 1857
  
• Material: White silk taffeta
  ICOM Number: F 1.1
  Skirt / dress, woman's evening
  
• Dimensions: 1160 mm CB
  
• What: ICOM Number: F 1.1
  Skirt / dress, woman's evening
  
• Subject: European Costume : female costume : netherwear
  
• Who:
• Where: Britain
  
• Event:
• Description: Skirt of white silk taffeta, trimmed with white silk fringing, part of a woman's evening dress: British, about 1852 - 1857
  
• References:
  • Langley Moore, Doris. Fashion through Fashion Plates 1771-1970. London: Ward Lock Ltd, 1971, p 84. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: