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.

Jacket (Spencer), Underbodice, Skirt

© The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

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Jacket (Spencer), Underbodice, Skirt

c. 1815 - unknown (Country)

Material
Jacket and skirt of red cut velvet with piping and wrapped buttons in hussar style; beige silk satin underbodice.
Inventory Number(s)
AC3145 80-5-36AC

This is a short jacket with long, tight-fitting sleeves that covered the hands, called Spencer jacket. A high-waisted skirt of the same fabric. It took its name from England's Earl Spencer (1758-1834), who wore this kind of jacket. The Spencer was fashionable from the 1790s to the 1820s. Initially a men's garment, its practical features meant that it soon came to be worn by women as well.

1800s-1810s