Pastel Silk Spencer Bodice or Jacket: circa 1820s English

With the advent of thin light muslins during the 1790’s, a short form to waist-level called a spencer was worn both outdoors, indoors, and for evening wear. Coloured Spencers like this example were usually worn with white dresses.

This pretty spencer has been made from a very fine soft coloured silk. It has short puffed sleeves over a longer sleeve which are gathered into a woven or crotchet silk covered wooden ‘button’ detail.

The sleeves are lined in a light cotton and the body is unlined.

The condition is good for an item of clothing from this era. There is some fraying around the bottom edge of the bodice hem.

Measurements:

nape of neck to hem: 39 cm

sleeve length: 29 cm

waist length: 56cm