Created by
Unidentified
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
mid 20th century
Medium
a. pants: wool, silk blended grosgrain ribbon, metal, plastic, synthetic satin, and cotton twill
b. suspenders: elastic, metal, and leather
Dimensions
L x W (a.pants): 47 × 18 in. (119.4 × 45.7 cm)
L (b. suspenders): 44 in. (111.8 cm)
Description
A pair of men’s dress pants and coordinating white suspenders. The pants (a) are made of black wool and are similarly styled to tuxedo pants. They open at the center front with two metal snaps and one snap on the waistband. An eleven and a half inch long metal zipper runs down the center front opening starting at the bottom of the waistband. A dart and a pleat are sewn on the front of each pantleg starting at the bottom of the waistband. The pleats create a crease that runs down the length of the pants. A black grosgrain ribbon is stitched along the exterior of each pant leg starting from under the waistband to the hem. A side pocket is sewn to each side of the pants along the grosgrain ribbon. The pants have a gusset at the crotch, they taper inwards at the bottoms and are finished with machine overcast stitching. The hem is folded to the inwards and secured with hand pick stitching. The waistband has a notch along the center back seam. A seam is located at the center back of each pant leg starting at the bottom of the waistband and ending at the top of each center back welt pocket. A black plastic button and keyhole buttonhole are sewn at the center of the proper left back pocket. The inside of the waistband and the back of the zipper are faced with synthetic satin on the bias. The facing is attached with hand slip stitches and machine stitching. Five black plastic buttons are sewn to the interior waistband at the front and two are sewn at the back. The pockets at the front and back are lined in cotton twill. The interior seams are pressed open and finished with machine overcast stitching.
The pants have matching Y back white suspenders made of elastic and leather (b). One end of the suspenders is made of two loops of elastic, each loop has two leather tabs with one buttonhole on each end. These loops are attached to the elastic with metal hardware. A metal buckle adjuster is attached to both loops. The other end of the suspenders has one loop of elastic with a leather tab matching those on the other side. All three elastic loops are connected with a white leather cross patch.
Cataloging Notes
This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
trousers
suspenders (garment supports)
Topic
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Object number
2007.3.624ab
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5de26f7cf-03b3-4b5d-9041-dad8319cf93e

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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