Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
1992.039A-D |
Object Name |
Suit |
Description |
Woman's three-piece royal purple wedding suit. The suit is made of several fabrics including silk, silk velvet, cotton, and wool. .039A) Bodice. The bodice is made of royal purple silk and fastens down center front with small, crochet-covered buttons. The buttons and corresponding buttonholes are placed along a center panel of deep purple silk velvet. Cuffs and collar are also velvet, as are center pleats of dovetail on back of bodice. Lined with brown cotton twill. .039B) Skirt. The skirt is comprised of alternating, vertical panels of purple velvet and horizontally-pleated purple silk. Back panel is not affixed completely to waistband to allow skirt to open. In the elaborate style of the 1880s, the overskirt of silk taffeta is draped around the hips "en tablier." Steel bands are encased in the lining of skirt back to form bustle effect. .039C) Outerwear jacket. The jacket is hip-length and is made of deep royal purple plush velvet (same color velvet as on skirt and bodice). The jacket fastens with six large, goldtone metal buttons. Jacket is lined with bright red wool (possibly added later for warmth). Purple silk satin bow at neck edge. .039D) Neckband. (added 3/4/93) Purple silk jet-beaded, appliqued neckband. Worn by Alice E. Leland at her wedding to Everett B. Wheelock on April 7, 1881, at her sister's home at 154 West Monroe Street in Chicago (see Chicago Daily Inter-Ocean, April 11, 1881, p. 8). The couple moved to 833 Central Avenue in Wilmette in 1883; the donor of this dress, Margaret, was one of five surviving children and her initials and last name (M.L. Wheelock) are sewn into the outerwear jacket at the back neck edge. Wedding shoes 1992.053A-B, worn with this outfit. |
Date |
1881 |