Dress

Unknown

1868 · silk · Costume Institute

In this transitional dress with corsetted waistline still established high on the rib cage, the proportion was derived from the arms: pushed-down shoulders created a sloping line until the torso became almost diamond shaped at the back. The "coat" sleeves of 1860s, with widened elbows falling at or below the waist, were a visual contrast to the high waist.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1868

Medium

silk

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. William R. Witherell, 1953