Day Ensemble Front View

Ensemble: Three-piece walking ensemble in linen plainweave with wool soutache, consisting of (A) cape, (B) bodice, and (C) skirt.
(A) Circle cape with dagged edge; front sides of cape attach to bodice with single hook at each side of CF; soutache trim fills CF sides, shoulders, CB, and dagged edge in tree/ branch-like motifs; cape is split at CB; self-fabric, soutache-trimmed bow tacked on either side of split at mid-back.
(B) Elongated, fitted bodice; soutached-trimmed dagged collar; 5 self-fabric covered button opening at CF with single hook-and-eye closure at top; two-sided princess darts; waist seam extending from princess darts to side seams; bodice front extends down at front and rises at sides; dagged hem on bodice skirt and sleeves; self-fabric piping at armscye seams; long, wide sleeves with seam at front and back of armscye; soutache trim on lower half of sleeve; soutache trim applied to CF closure, bodice front extensions, and bustle back; CB and princess seams with fullness in three pleats below waist; triangular "tails" extend from two outer pleats.
(C) Skirt; slit pocket PR side; single pleat on each side of front; skirt constructed of 5 panels, with widest at back; fullness gathered into cartridge pleats at CB; soutache applied with dagged self-fabric ruffles in faux overskirt arrangement; plain ruffles and soutache at CF; three rows of faux overskirt trim extend from upper sides and dip low at back; four rows extend from sides to back at hem; facing on dagged ruffles.
Label: none
Date: c. 1872

Brooch: Round gold locke with engraving; photgraph under glass at interior. Date: 1865-75
Bag: Handbag; wool embroidered at front and reverse in gemeteric pattern; leather handle and sides; metal hardware affixes handle to bag. Label: "Kiley & Lyn" Date:1871