Woman's silk jacket and petticoat, by unknown maker, 1720–30

This hand-sewn silk jacket and quilted petticoat lined with linen illustrate the type of informal ensemble worn by women early in the day in the privacy of home. The silk design of the jacket is late 17th century, indicating that it was made from an earlier garment. Despite this, the jacket is well cut and made, demonstrating the value placed even on remade clothing. Quilted petticoats were popular throughout the 18th century for informal dress. They were both decorative and practical.

Museum no. T.264-1958
Given by Miss D. Gibbon