Clothes that document family history
Too Good to Leave Behind

Gray MoirŽ Empire-Waist Dress
1820-1825
Gift of Carol Winship
The puffy sleeves on this garment are called gigot or leg-oÕ-mutton. The fabric is a coarse silk taffeta, sometimes called tabby, and, typical for everyday clothes of the period, is of a dull color. The matching bonnet has 12 bands of curved wood with silk smocked in between. Completing the outfit would have been long gloves, if the dress had short sleeves, and a fan. The accompanying shoes would be made of silk or muslin, tied with ribbon, and with no heels. The use of rouge and pearl powder on the face was popular.