Spencer

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Costume Institute, where we explore the elegance of early 19th-century fashion exquisite garments like *Spencer*. Dating from 1805–15, this cotton piece, likely British, exemplifies Regency-era attire. Named after the short, tailored jacket popularized by the era's fashion-forward elite—possibly inspired by Earl Spencer himself—it reflects the period's shift toward lighter, more practical women's outerwear, blending masculine tailoring with feminine grace. Crafted from cotton, a versatile and breathable fabric increasingly favored during Britain's Industrial Revolution, *Spence...