Dress

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of mid-19th-century American with this elegant silk and cotton dress, crafted around 1856–57. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, this garment exemplifies the opulence of the antebellum era, just before the Civil War reshaped the nation. The combination of lustrous silk—prized for its sheen and drape—with sturdy cotton highlights the era's blend of luxury and practicality, likely used for both outer layers and linings to ensure comfort and durability. During the 1850s, American women's fashion emphasized dramatic silhouettes, with full skirt...