The Story of a Day Dress: What Women in the Montana Territory Wore and How They Made It
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Authors
Tyson, Taylor
Date of Issue
2025-04-25
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
During the mid-eighteenth century, women settling the Montana Territory were responsible for clothing themselves and their families. For this project I used the letters of two such women, Mary Edgerton of Bannack and Elizabeth Chester Fisk of Helena, as well as store ledgers, and surviving extant clothing items to create a fuller picture of what life was like during this time. My research highlighted the garments that women wore and the attempts that they made to remain fashionable, even while living in such a rural area. I also considered how women sourced the materials for their clothing, which often had to come from the East through an unreliable mail system. To supplement my research, I made my own 1860’s outfit based on surviving extant garments. For this part of the project, I made a chemise, drawers, corset, hoop skirt, petticoat, and the dress itself which included a collar and undersleeves. Despite being an accomplished seamstress and having modern tools, I still found the project challenging, giving me a deeper appreciation for the women that came before me.