Riding ensemble

Unknown

ca. 1896 · wool, silk, cotton, leather · Costume Institute

This object is part of a group of riding clothes which belonged to Eleanor Hewitt. Hewitt, an accomplished horsewoman, enjoyed riding at the Hewitt family home, Ringwood Manor, in northern New Jersey. "Miss Nelly," as Eleanor was known, occasionally wore menswear-inspired garments in her daily wardrobe, as well as for sporting activities. The concealed button placket gives this jacket a clean line. The leg-of-mutton sleeves and collar faced with velvet are details seen the jackets of walking suits of the same period. The tailoring of riding clothes translated into other tailored garments for women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1896

Medium

wool, silk, cotton, leather

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of the Princess Viggo in accordance with the wishes of the Misses Hewitt, 1931