Silk Taffeta Dress with Fringe, 1867

This dress comes from the Tasha Tudor Collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Tasha Tudor (née Starling Burgess, 1915-2008) was a writer and illustrator of children’s books, including Mother Goose and Corgiville Fair. The idyllic, 19th century world she painted in her books was the lifestyle she pursued: for much of her adult life Tudor lived on New England farms, weaving, tending to animals, baking bread, and collecting, mending, and wearing centuries-old clothing.

For detailed biography, see Jeanette Chandler Knazek, “Tasha Tudor,” Tashatudorandfamily.com.

Blue green silk taffeta floral brocade belted dress with a banded collar that is flanked by gathered fabric and teal silk chain fringe, long sleeves with puff caps and fitted lowers trimmed with fringe, attached and belted waist line over a full gathered and pleated two-tier skirt with scalloped and fringed top tier, and center front button closure.
Unlabeled
Size Label: N/A
Accession No.: 1998-236, What Clothes Reveal

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 17"
Chest: 34.5"
Waist: 27"
Hips: 46"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 53"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 29"

Deaccessioned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Proceeds to Benefit the Acquisition Fund