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Story
September 9, 1913
Rock Island Argus
Rock Island, Rock Island County County, Illinois
What is this article about?
Historical account of the fanciful 'college toga' worn by Harvard students in 1836, a gingham summer garment with fringe, cape, and accessories, likely made by tailoress Ma'am Dana, contrasting with modern academic dress.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A SARTORIAL NIGHTMARE.
The "College Toga" Sported by Harvard Students In 1836.
The old time "college toga" worn by the Harvard students back in 1836 was an amusing sartorial creation, or maybe it would more properly be classified as the result of the dressmaker's art.
Of course, no one now living remembers it. but the ancient "toga is described in the annals of the college, and the present Oxford cap and gown are very simple and sober things in comparison
As described by a writer whose curiosity had been aroused by stories concerning the gay festive "college toga," even the togas worn by the old Roman senators were negligible quantities. In 1836. when Harvard celebrated her two hundredth anniversary. this fanciful summer garment was much in vogue, and for at least two seasons it was in high fashion with the undergraduates.
It was made of gingham and of a color and pattern to suit the taste of the wearer. It was a loose fitting garment reaching to the knees. was gathered at the neck and also at the waist behind. It had a turned over collar, a small cape rounded in front and a belt of the material of the dress. The sleeves were either hooked or buttoned at the wrist. It was trimmed with a long tasseled white fringe. The accompaniments of this dress were a low crowned, broad brimmed straw hat, secured by a broad ribbon under the chin; trousers and silk or thread gloves of a color in harmony with that of the toga, and usually a heavy cane.
It is not known to whom the distinction belongs of having first conceived the "college toga."
Like Jupiter, it came into being complete in its matchless grace and adornments. It was probably due to the creative genius and skillful fingers of "Ma'am" Dana, the college tailoress of that day. who was probably the sole manufacturer of the strange garment.
This estimable woman presided over a bevy of sewing girls, always carefully curtained from the public gaze. in the lower story of a small wooden building opposite Wadsworth house, at that time the official residence of President Quincy.-Exchange.
The "College Toga" Sported by Harvard Students In 1836.
The old time "college toga" worn by the Harvard students back in 1836 was an amusing sartorial creation, or maybe it would more properly be classified as the result of the dressmaker's art.
Of course, no one now living remembers it. but the ancient "toga is described in the annals of the college, and the present Oxford cap and gown are very simple and sober things in comparison
As described by a writer whose curiosity had been aroused by stories concerning the gay festive "college toga," even the togas worn by the old Roman senators were negligible quantities. In 1836. when Harvard celebrated her two hundredth anniversary. this fanciful summer garment was much in vogue, and for at least two seasons it was in high fashion with the undergraduates.
It was made of gingham and of a color and pattern to suit the taste of the wearer. It was a loose fitting garment reaching to the knees. was gathered at the neck and also at the waist behind. It had a turned over collar, a small cape rounded in front and a belt of the material of the dress. The sleeves were either hooked or buttoned at the wrist. It was trimmed with a long tasseled white fringe. The accompaniments of this dress were a low crowned, broad brimmed straw hat, secured by a broad ribbon under the chin; trousers and silk or thread gloves of a color in harmony with that of the toga, and usually a heavy cane.
It is not known to whom the distinction belongs of having first conceived the "college toga."
Like Jupiter, it came into being complete in its matchless grace and adornments. It was probably due to the creative genius and skillful fingers of "Ma'am" Dana, the college tailoress of that day. who was probably the sole manufacturer of the strange garment.
This estimable woman presided over a bevy of sewing girls, always carefully curtained from the public gaze. in the lower story of a small wooden building opposite Wadsworth house, at that time the official residence of President Quincy.-Exchange.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
College Toga
Harvard Students
1836 Fashion
Gingham Garment
Bicentennial Celebration
What entities or persons were involved?
Ma'am Dana
President Quincy
Where did it happen?
Harvard
Story Details
Key Persons
Ma'am Dana
President Quincy
Location
Harvard
Event Date
1836
Story Details
Description of the 'college toga' worn by Harvard undergraduates in 1836 during the bicentennial, a loose gingham garment to the knees with collar, cape, belt, fringe, paired with straw hat, trousers, gloves, and cane; possibly created by college tailoress Ma'am Dana.