Riding habit

This suit is part of a group of riding clothes which belonged to Eleanor Hewitt. Hewitt, an accomplished horsewoman, enjoyed riding at the Hewitt family home, Ringwood, in northern New Jersey. "Miss Nelly," as Hewitt was known, occasionally wore menswear-inspired garments in her daily wardrobe, as well as for sporting activities. This suit is an example of the side-saddle habits which women wore for riding until the 1930s, when it became more acceptable for them to ride astride. While the suit has no label, the green and black piecing adds an unexpected and refined touch to a traditional silhouette. A side-saddle habit like this one may have been an outfit for riding in the city, while other Hewitt riding garments were intended for informal country rambles at Ringwood.