Riding habit

Unknown

ca. 1910 · wool, silk · Costume Institute

This suit 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, in northern New Jersey. "Miss Nelly," as Hewitt was known, occasionally wore menswear-inspired garments in her daily wardrobe, as well as for sporting activities. This suit is an example of the side-saddle habits which women wore for riding until the 1930s, when it became more acceptable for them to ride astride. While the suit has no label, the green and black piecing adds an unexpected and refined touch to a traditional silhouette. A side-saddle habit like this one may have been an outfit for riding in the city, while other Hewitt riding garments were intended for informal country rambles at Ringwood.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1910

Medium

wool, silk

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