cottage front dress

Dress in white muslin known as a round gown meaning it has no train. It was probably meant for a girl aged 12 to 14. The bodice has a low stomacher front and front flaps in the cottage front style where the flaps do not meet but were laced across over a habit shirt or chemise. The short sleeves are gathered at the back of the shoulders with a drawstring at the hem and trimming of lace. The bodice and the skirt are tightly gathered at the centre back. The upper third of the skirt is slit down the sides forming placket holes; the top edge of this flap is gathered with a running string to tie behind at centre back and the skirt is open down centre back. It has narrow tucks at the hem which is a feature of 1802.