Alison Taylor chose…

a cape

I used to look after museum costume collections in my previous jobs, so I've chosen an item of clothing. I think this cape is lovely in an understated way, and I particularly like the quilted pink silk lining and the decorative tassels. It was made before sewing machines were in use and the hand stitching is neatly done. I've found that clothing from this date has a delicacy that is often missing in later Victorian fashion. I imagine this cape being worn to go out in the evening, as it seems too dainty for everyday wear. I suppose it's an early type of hoodie!

Alison Taylor is the Herbert's Senior Inclusion and Diversity Officer

What the curator says:

Cape, about 1850, collected in 1962

This cape dates from about 1850 and dresses at this time had very large skirts. The skirts were held out by stiffened petticoats, or by cages called crinolines. This meant that large, full length capes were usually worn over the dresses. This short cape was probably worn with an evening dress to show off the width of the skirt.
The cape is made from silk and its colour looks dull by today's standards. Sober colours were common until the 1850s. After the discovery of the first synthetic dye in 1856 colours used in clothes became much brighter.