Acquired from Shirley Russell
This intriguing garment originally belonged to the late costume designer Shirley Russell who used it as an early 1870s bathing suit in combination with a pair of reproduction trousers made from almost identical fabric.
The overdress is unlined, simply constructed from rough textured cotton with a nubbly pile on both sides like a type of towelling used for beachwear in the 20th Century. Whether it could have been originally worn as part of a bathing suit is debatable; contemporary fashion plates depict very similar garments with simple braid trimming, following dress styles of the day, but usually with short sleeves which would have been more practical than these long full sleeves. The presence of internal tapes below the back waist point to the overdress being worn with skirt over a bustle.
