Skirt (2010.20.B)

White cotton skirt, matelassé with a tiny horizontal diamond pattern, fitted on a 1" wide plain white cotton waistband. Constructed of six shaped pieces: center front, narrowing towards the waist without gathers; front side pieces at left and right, each with two pleats facing towards the back; back side pieces left and right; and a wide center back piece with gathers. All gores have a piecing seam 2.75" below the waistband. There is a self fabric pocket set into the seam between the center panel and right front panel. Opens along the left side at the seam joining left front and left back pieces, closes with two hooks on the waistband and two snaps further down the placket. The 3" deep hem is bound with a white cotton twill tape, only 1/8" of which is visible on the front. Machine stitched throughout.

Provenance Narrative
White cotton dresses were a perennial summer favorite for obvious reasons. This ensemble would have been a sensible choice for engaging in a sport; lawn tennis and croquet were popular at this time. However, the convention of wearing white for tennis was not yet established.

Place Made
United States