Dress

Object/Artifact

Saco Museum

Name/Title

Dress

Entry/Object ID

1963.4.1

Description

Two-piece dress of brown silk faille and brown floral-patterned devoree velvet. Bodice has a false front with velvet inset closed with velvet covered buttons. Leg of mutton sleeves, silk faille at top and velvet at the wrist. Large cape collar; the garment is almost certainly missing its original high-necked collar. Front panel of skirt is composed of a panel of devoree velvet; a large self-trimmed flounce of silk faille covers the remainder of the skirt.

Material

silk faille, devoree velvet

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Faille is a type of fabric in which the weaving process creates a ribbed finish. It has a soft drape that lends itself beautifully to the full sleeves and very large collar ruffle of this dress, and to the small ruched band decorating the skirt. It is likely that the neckline has been altered since such an open line is unusual for a garment otherwise styled for daytime use, and the edge of the opening has loose threads inside hinting at the removal of fabric. It probably originally had a high collar. The star of the dress, however, is the sumptuous devorée velvet, the deep brown floral pattern revealed against the gold silk ground. Each fabric sets off the other to elegant effect. According to notes from the donor, this dress was worn by Mrs. Nettie Johnson Fairfield in 1900. However, with the enormous sleeves and the large ruffle, the style of this dress is more consistent with the late 1890s.