Sun, 05/05/2013 – Sun, 08/11/2013
Goodman Gallery
In the 1890s, women’s fashions were changing dramatically. The bustle was disappearing from day dress, and tailored jackets and gored skirts were all the rage. The Gibson Girl look was very popular: puffy-sleeved shirt, floppy bow or cravat, long flowing bell skirt, and swept-up hair beneath a feather-topped hat and a parasol. Women were becoming bolder in their fashion choices — vivid colors were more widely available, and astonishing striped fabrics and delicate florals were in style. The Beautiful Bodice complements our special Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition on display in the upstairs galleries. Highlights of Bodice included a stunning brown satin dress with leg-o-mutton sleeves, a fine selection of hats, ornamental tortoiseshell combs, elaborately beaded purses, and other Victorian-era fashion accessories and period clothing from the Museum’s permanent collection.