APPLIED ART : COSTUME

Object Name: Hobble dress, ice blue satin
Date Made: 1912-1914 circa
1914 circa
1912-1914 circa
Description: colour : blue. design : hobble skirted dress of blue silk crepe, cuffs trimmed with chine silk. Red stain across back of bodice has weakened fabric considerably, some actual tearing has occurred. Fabric along this line was backed with nylon net treated with monolith and ironed on at a temperature of 60'F. From exhibition label, early 2000s Blue satin day dress, c.1912 Worn in Belfast and bought in 'The Bank Buildings' this day dress has the narrowed skirts which developed into the 'hobble' style. A silk insertion at the hem aids freedom of movement. The French knots seen this otherwise plain dress were extremely popular at the time and are seen on many contemporary dresses. Exhibition Label, La Belle Epoque 2020 “Hobble” dress Around 1912 Silk Unknown maker English This day dress has the narrowed skirts which developed into the narrow 'hobble' style first introduced in 1910. The hobble skirt was so named because it was cut very closely to the ankles and in its most fashionable form made walking difficult. A silk insertion at the hem of this dress aids freedom of movement. The French knots seen this otherwise plain dress were extremely popular at the time and are seen on many contemporary dresses. Purchased 1979 BELUM.T1484 1. Around waist: 67cms 2. Around bust: 88cms (ref: bust to waist = 12cms) 3. Around ribcage: 79cms (ref: ribs to waist = 6cms) 4. Bust point to bust point: 26cms 5. Shoulder point to side waist: 33cms 6. Nape to back waist: approx 36cms 7. Across front: 36cms (ref: shoulder point to front = 12.5cms) 8. Across back: 33cms (ref: should point to back = 12.5cms) 9. Length of shoulder: 10. Front neckline to waist: 29.5cms 11. Back neckline to waist: 35.5cms 12. Length of arm/sleeve: 32cms 13. Around wrist/cuff: 25.5cms 14. Around biceps: 32cms (ref: head of sleeve to bicep =12cms) 15. Around forearm: N/A 16. Around hip: 89cms (ref: from waist =9cms) 17. Around bottom: 98 (ref. from waist = 20cms) 18. Front length of skirt: 100cms 19. Side length of skrit: 103cms 20. Back length of skirt: 105cms 21. Around hem: 174cms
Materials: silk & crepe
Catalogue Number: BELUM.T1484
Copyright: National Museums NI

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