--- Mary Melcher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> >>> [log in to unmask] 02/24/04 01:23PM >>>
> We received an 1880s woman's riding habit recently that has a waist and
> trousers, but no over skirt.  The trousers are similar to those that would
> have been worn under a skirt...so I am chagrined at the absence of the
> skirt.  Would the trousers have been worn alone?  The lady in question
> probably would have been riding on or around a farm.  The waist is typical
> 1880s.

What's a "waist"? Do you mean "waistcoat"? Skirts, being out the outside, would
wear out much faster than the rest of the habit especially if it was around a
farm.

What kind of farm was she at? A huge plantation where she would be pleasure
riding or did she work on the farm? And is the rest of the habit made of a more
utilitarian cloth or something that would have been for a nicer outfit? If the
woman was out riding for pleasure or to go visiting, she would have almost
definitely worn a skirt with the trousers. (I don't think the safety apron had
been invented yet but skirts with slits probably were around.) If she was just
riding around her farm to get work done, then she might have had a more
utilitarian skirt or just used the trousers. But "fashionable" habits were
always worn with a skirt.

Deb

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want.
http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).