WEDDING DRESS
CH1978.173
'Sheath' type dress, one-piece. These came in to fashion c. 1877-8 in br. pink. Very fitted bodice (unboned) and skirt tight over hips. All fullness at back. Bodice gores extend into train. Front fastening to well below waist, with hooks. Long sleeves, seam far back on shoulders, set in at arm with same material piping. Trimmed down front panel, shoulder to hem and widening from waist with pleated material, ending in pleated frill. 4 bows of same material down front opening. Small watch pocket at left hand waist. Skirt trimmed down front panel with gathered 'puffs' of same material and at sides of flat pleats of material in curves. Double pleated frill around hem to train. Train from waist, very full. Probably supported by bustle, or petticoat. Bow with long tails left hand side. Train trimmed with 4 rows of gathered material ending in pleated frill. Frill (showing at train) at hem of stiffened muslin (white). Back bodice cut in 4 sections, unboned. Fitted sleeves, with inner and outer seam. Bands of same material and ruching above cuff. Pleated trim at cuff. Lined with cotton (bodice and sleeves) to waist. Trimmed sections lined with muslin or organdie. Lined above hem. All machine-sewn.
Department:
History DepartmentCollection
| Accession Number: | CH1978.173 |
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| Accession Date: | 20 Apr 1978 |
| Credit: | Mrs J. Hamersley |
Material
| Silk/Textile | Ribbed silk, cotton and metal. | 0 - Whole |
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| Cotton/Textile | 0 - Whole |
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| Metal | 0 - Whole |
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Measurement
| length | 1360mm | Overall - front. |
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| length | 1680mm | Overall - back. |
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| circumference | 56cm | Waist size. |
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Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/content/CH1978.173
Accessed 8 Dec 2025
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