Like most women of this time, Miss Smith made a practical choice when selecting her wedding dress, opting for something which would become her "Sunday best dress," and which would have been worn often after her wedding day.

We know that Miss Smith was married in Ireland, and this fabric may well have been produced there. It appears to be mousseline, a quite sturdy but finely woven cotton much used in the 19th century. The brown background color is sprigged with an ecru design of wheat sprays surrounded by a wreath.

Typical of the time, this dress is made up of two separate pieces: a floor length skirt, and a snugly fitted jacket. The skirt is simply constructed with soft 2" pleats gathered into a waistband. The jacket ends a bit below the waist, covering the skirt's waistband. At the center front, the jacket comes to a Basque point, while the rear of the jacket spills over the skirt into a moderate train. Boning in the bodice front and back give the jacket its shape. Covered buttons down the center are used to fasten the bodice, and four small pleats on each side of the center front are a nice design touch.

The sleeves are quite plain - a few simple tucks at the shoulder give the sleeve tops a slight "pouf." A short stand-up collar typical of the time is gathered into fine ¾ inch pleats.