Wool or wool mixture
- Fashionable garments made from expensive, richly trimmed materials, originally worn by the upper classes, survive in greater quantities than plainer, more serviceable examples. The affluent had less need to wear out their clothes, replacing them as styles changed, and usually had the means to store attractive examples in good condition for future remodelling or use as fancy dress costumes. Although the class of the original owner of this one piece dress is unknown it clearly falls into the plain, practical category. It is made of rough, dull-coloured fabric and is completely unadorned. Nevertheless, it conforms to up to date construction in a basic form, with its shallow stand collar, buttoned front fastening, horizontal waistband, curved shoulder line and sleeves, and full gored skirt. The decorative epaulettes of fashionable dresses have been aped with simple padded rolls around the tops of the armholes.
