KCIDigital Archives

The KCI Digital Archives on the KCI website presents image and text information for the objects in the collection, arranged in chronological order.

Riding Suit (Amazone)

© The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Toru Kogure

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Riding Suit (Amazone)

c. 1810 - France

Material
Black wool broadcloth; set of tailored jacket and skirt of appropriate length for horse riding.
Inventory Number(s)
AC5313 86-8-2AB

This riding suit was known as an "Amazone." A tight tailored jacket is matched with a long skirt. Prior to the beginning of 20th century, instead of riding astride a horse, it was socially expected that women should ride sidesaddle, in a skirt. Riding suits for women incorporated some elements of men's clothes, but it was unacceptable for women to wear pants. Amazones were female cavaliers of Greek myth.

1800s-1810s