Women's cotton skirt forming part of a day dress
Datelate 19th Century
Object number00018361
NameSkirt
MediumCotton
DimensionsOverall: 1160 x 260 mm, 0.4 kg
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis plain weave cotton skirt forms part of a women's day dress, and would have been worn with a bodice (see 00018360) and sash (see 00018338). The top layer of the skirt is decorated with vertical strips of broderie anglaise, and is trimmed with pin tucking and loosely ruffled broderie anglaise. The cotton underskirt is plain. A string and clip have been used at the back of the waist to fasten the skirt.
HistoryBy the turn of the 19th century a tourist industry had been established around the seaside. This was encouraged by improved transportation to the beaches, as well as the greater spending power of most workers and changed working conditions that allowed more pleasure time.
The beach had become a site of recuperation, recreation and leisure, with women taking up the fashionable pursuit of promenading along the shore. Women often wore white cotton sun dresses decorated with sashes, and accessorised with veils and hats that used to protect women from the sun during an era when pale skin was equated with the upper classes.
Broderie Anglaise is a whitework needlework technique that incorporates features of embroidery, cutwork and needle lace that arose in England during the first half of the 19th century.
SignificanceThe skirt is representative of women's leisure wear fashions, worn by members of the middle classes during the Edwardian period.There are no works to discover for this record.