Julia

So... I'm browsing the Smithsonian's OA images and came across this photograph of a woman named Jennie Cleever. It was taken in the 1860s. And as I zoomed in to take a closer look I saw... a pin? Stuck in the bodice? 👀

Maybe it was used to secure the tulle veil, which then came loose? Such a fascinating little detail. What do you think?

#DressHistory #Histodons #MaterialCulture #19thCentury

Jan 21, 2023 at 2:56pmWeb
Show threadJuliaJan 21, 2023
Here's the link: https://www.si.edu/object/jennie-cleever:npg_NPG.81.M2427
Jennie Cleever | Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution
Show threadnature_jcpJan 21, 2023
@jtheseamstress Interesting, that one is a plain steel pin but there are a couple of glass-headed pins holding artful folds in the veil at the shoulder and thigh. Funny place to have stuck the plain one during prep. An open area where they wouldn't (oops) forget it?
Show threadJulie GoldbergJan 21, 2023
@jtheseamstress That is odd!
Show threadDB SchweinJan 21, 2023

@jtheseamstress
An early adopter?

https://www.history.com/news/how-women-defended-themselves-against-street-gropers-100-years-ago

Early 1900s Women Had an Ingenious Method for Fending Off Gropers

“No man, however courageous he may be, likes to face a resolute woman with a hatpin in her hand.”

HISTORY
Show threadGameTightMarvinJan 22, 2023
@jtheseamstress o think you’re right. It looks like the upper section of the veil is pinned as well
Show threadacmJan 22, 2023
@jtheseamstress seems 95% you're right, especially given the sharpish angle of the veil right there. 5% chance it's a needle that got left in and she's lucky she didn't stab herself! :)
Show threadLaura E RubertoFeb 2, 2023
@jtheseamstress makes sense and an amazing observation on your part ! Have you come across such things elsewhere?
Show threadJuliaFeb 3, 2023
@LauraRuberto There seem to be portraits of women having pins stuck in their bodices, "La liseuse" by Liotard for example. But, as someone on 🐦 has pointed out, in Liotard's painting it could be as a hint to the sitter's needlework skills. Pins were also used to secure clothes (mostly pre-19th century, as far as I know), but I have never come across something like in the photograph before. Not sure if they just used the pin for the photo or if pinning veils to bodices was a normal thing to do at that time. 🤔
Show threadLaura E RubertoFeb 4, 2023
@jtheseamstress fascinating!! It seems like the sewing pin would be hidden, and a more fashionable pin would be shown instead...but I love the mystery of this photo !