Ensemble
Unknown Artist
ca. 1885
Medium
(a, b) silk, cotton; (c–f) cotton
Classification
Ensemble
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. McCullough Darlington, 2001
Accession Number
2001.789.2a–f
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 1880s American fashion with exquisite *Ensemble* from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume. Dated around 1885 and crafted by an unknown artist, this multi-piece garment set—labeled (a, b) in silk and cotton, and (c–f) in cotton—exemplifies the era's blend of luxury and practicality. Silk, prized for its sheen and drape, likely adorns the more visible outer layers, while cotton provides sturdy support for understructures, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship of Gilded Age attire. The 1880s marked the height of the second bustle period in Western fashion,...