She was married here in Lexington in the summer of 1912, midway between the Derby and the fall thoroughbred auctions.
Priorities had to be observed.
Inside the big house, in those days before air conditioning, the parlor furniture was fitted with white muslin slipcovers, the gilt mirrors draped with mosquito netting.
(This is horse country, after all, and fly specks ruin ormolu.)
In the bedrooms, heavy rugs were replaced with grass matting from Japan, very ingenious; it absorbed the humidity. This nightgown was part of her trousseau. Her granddaughter, a great beauty now in her 70s, told me the young bride used to wear it horseback riding on hot moonlit nights; then she laughed.
“Of course, her husband rode with her.”
Vintage Sleeveless Nightgown (No. 2250), reproduction of one brought to Lexington in 1912 from New Orleans. Low-calf cut of fine, cool cotton with V-neck lace bodice lined in soft cotton voile. Lots of lace and crochet trim. Satin ribbon drawstring at waist. Real shell buttons at shoulders.
Color: White, with Pink ribbon.
Women’s sizes: XS, S, M, L.
