Suit

Charles James

1961–62 · wool · Costume Institute

James placed a favored lyre-shaped seam on the suit jacket and mirrored its curve in the opposing cutaway front hem. The cropped front of the jacket then frames two of four splayed release darts from the waist of the skirt, which introduce ease to the zone of the abdomen and hips. Curving side seams shifted to the back result in the skirt’s narrowing taper.

Artist

Charles James

Date

1961–62

Medium

wool

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Lee Krasner Pollock, 1975