Images(4)

Vest or Hug-Me-Tight

PeriodCirca 1860-1870

Place MadeProbably Keyport, New Jersey, U.S.A.

MediumWool yarn

Dimensions25 × 24 in. (63.5 × 61 cm)

ClassificationsCostume, Women's

Credit LineGift of Josephine Mabel Brown, 1947

Object number3128

DescriptionA woman's sleeveless adjustable vest, known as a hug-me-tight, constructed of thick worsted weight wool yarn. The high round necked vest is made primarily of bright red yarn, with black borders and edging along neck, front, waist, and back. The vest has no closure, but was designed to be pinned or simply "grip" the garment below. The sides of the vest are adjustable and feature a braided red and black yarn cording that laces crosswise along the open spaces between the crocheted blocks, ending at the waist with two black and red yarn tassels, allowing the vest to be adjusted for fit. On the back, appliqued spirals of black and red yarn add decorative detail at the shoulder blades.
Curatorial RemarksThis charming woman's accessory was known as early as 1860 as a "hug-me-tight." Women's magazines such as Godey's Lady's Magazine published variations of a similar pattern, usually an adjustable fitted garment, either knitted or crocheted or a combination of the two, in contrasting colors. This particular vest uses bold black-and-red contrast and includes a practical and delightful element of lace-up adjustable sides, ending in fluffy black and red yarn tassels, allowing the wearer to close or loosen the sides for fit. Hug-me-tights, also known as "bosom warmers," continued to be popular into the 1920s.NotesThis crocheted vest, known as a "hug me tight," may have been made, and was definitely owned and worn by, Keyport resident Josephine A. Brown. Josephine was born in Keyport, Monmouth County, on 13 August 1858, a daughter of Cornelius H. Brown (1830 - 1905) and Emaline F. Strong (1829 - 1888). Her father was the leading builder and contractor in Keyport, erecting many of the churches and commercial buildings that still stand today. Miss Brown lived all her life in the house where she was born at 162 Broadway. After graduating from the Keyport Graded School, she taught for several years before becoming employed in the law offices of George W. Brown and Henry E. Ackerson. But for many years she served as librarian at the Keyport Free Public Library. Josie, as she was called, was an avid student of genealogy and local history. She compiled a manuscript history of Keyport, as well as a history of the Calvary Methodist Church, of which the family were members. She also contributed much original research to A Genealogy of the Warne Family in America, a definitive work by the Rev. George Warne Labaw that was published in 1911. Miss Brown was a member of the Association for more than fifty years, and a generous donor to its museum and library collections. She died on 23 August 1951, having just turned ninety-three. Interment took place in the family plot at Green Grove Cemetery in Keyport. Her niece, Miss J. Mabel Brown (1885 - 1980), who made her home with her aunt, served as a trustee of the Association from 1944 to 1972, and as President from 1948 to 1950. Josephine A. Brown was skilled with her needle, and the Association has several examples of her work including a pair of berlin work embroidered slippers (see accession number 3082).

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