3-012-001 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Paris fashions for February, 1864. 'Fig. 1. Walking Dress. Dark brown silk robe, trimmed round the bottom of the skirt with a wide band of black velvet, surmounted by a torsade of chenille and a narrow lace ruching...the trimming of the skirt is completed by a silk ruching of the dress material. The sleeves are ornamented to match. Black velvet bonnet, enlivened on one side with violet feathers. Fig. 2. Ball Dress. This robe is in gros de Tours, of a white ground, with black brocaded flowers; the three fixed flounces are trimmed with a gauze ruching, edged with narrow black lace. Each of the flounces...is fastened by a large bow. The bertha on the corsage is provided with a corresponding trimming...The headdress is composed of mother-of-pearl flowers and a white rose. Fig. 3. Evening Dress. Black moire antique robe, ornamented on the skirt by a narrow flounce, composed of violet guipure and ruched ribbon. The corsage is...fastened with jet buttons...The coiffure consists of a catogan of violet ribbon and black lace, ornamented with jet flowers. The millinery subject represents a cap composed in one of the best Parisian houses. It is a graceful combination of lace, flowers, and ribbon, violet being the preponderating colour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.