#2697  Linen Shift  c. 1780

  United States  

Materials: White homespun linen, lighter-weight linen frill.

Labels: Written in brown ink, "Hannah L. Juna" (last name illegible).

Condition: Excellent, two tiny holes near front bottom.

Measurements: B 44"; H 56", Slv L 9"; Hem C 70"; L 45".

Comments: A lady's shift was her first layer of clothing, worn under the corset and petticoats. In the evening, after removing the outer garments, the shift would double as her night gown. Quality period construction details: French seams, incredibly tiny, precise hand-stitching, underarm gussets and reinforcements, V-inserts at side seams, and handkerchief linen neck and sleeve ruffles. This shift's linen has a glorious silky hand!