Dinner Ensemble
1874
The delicate colors of this dress enhance the brocade pattern of the skirt so well.
Dress
1875
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
I love the opulence of the plume print on the skirt.
Robe à Transformation
1875
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“An air of coquettishness and youthful presence inform this set of French dress coordinates. The colorful and spritely decorative details lend a sense of whimsy. The choice of fabric and the inclusion of alternate bodices made this ensemble appropriate for both late day and evening wear.”
Dress
Grace King, 1870-1875
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Designed by the New York dressmaker, Grace King, this is a well-crafted and designed garment that compares favorably to the French pieces of that era. The color combination is extremely attractive and the buttons are noteworthy for their visual appeal. Also of interest, are the petite measurements: bust 29”, waist 21.5", and back shoulder width 10".“
Bonnet
1870
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Victorians loved nature so much they often used dead things to decorate their fashion. For real I love it.
Boudoir Slippers
1865-1885
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Special occasion clothing is the most commonly preserved, so while wedding and evening shoes are usually well represented in historical collections, surviving loungewear, such as this pair of boudoir slippers, is less common. This appealing and nicely detailed example highlights the prevailing taste for a deep and rich color scheme. The bright purple color was made possible by the discovery and development of synthetic dyes beginning in the late 1850s.”
Afternoon Dress
1865
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The new artificial dyes of this era made the dresses incredibly vibrant. I just love this shade of red.
“The influence that military uniforms played on women’s dress during the years of the Civil War is evident here. Women reflected their patriotism readily in their mode of dress to help encourage the soldiers on to victory. The bands ending in rosettes on the skirt are reminiscent of swags and decorations at military ceremonies while the shoulder and sleeve decorations are taken from stripes and epaulets on military jackets.”
