Margaretta Howard Ridgely likely purchased this royal blue, silk moiré visiting dress during her travels through England and France in 1870. Black soutache cording embellishes the dress which closes in the front with metal hooks and eyes and black thread-covered wooden buttons. Ridgely's husband, Charles Ridgely (1838–1872), did not survive the trip and passed away…

Dress

Description

Margaretta Howard Ridgely likely purchased this royal blue, silk moiré visiting dress during her travels through England and France in 1870. Black soutache cording embellishes the dress which closes in the front with metal hooks and eyes and black thread-covered wooden buttons. Ridgely's husband, Charles Ridgely (1838–1872), did not survive the trip and passed away in 1872, upon which Margaretta entered mourning, wearing only blacks, greys, and later dull purples. This dress, so eye-catching and vibrant, would have been inappropriate to wear in mourning and was packed away, never to be worn again.

Creator

unknown

Date

circa 1868

Materials

Watered silk faille, soutache cording, metal

Dimensions

54 inches (length - front), 63 inches (length - back), 32 inches (bust), 25 inches (waist), 17 inches (shoulder)

Object ID

1956.15.47

Accession Number

1956.15

Resource ID

267

Notes

Worn by Margaretta Sophia Howard Ridgely (1824–1904)

Credit Line

Estate of Miss Eliza Ridgley

Digital Publisher

Digital resource provided by the Maryland Center for History and Culture

Rights

This digital image is made available here for private study, scholarship, and research. Commercial and other uses are prohibited without the permission of the Maryland Center for History and Culture. For more information, visit the MCHC’s Reproductions and Permissions web page.