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Two silk day dresses (first from MFA, second from Kyoto), c. 1865
Day dress, MFA Boston, c. 1859-60
Dotted cotton dress, from The Graceful Lady, 1860s
Cotton muslin day dress, V&A, c. 1869
I’m going to make this dress for my week in Tennessee this upcoming summer!
Printed cotton dress, V&A, ca. 1814
The back of the bodice has been shortened to correspond with the fashion for high waistlines. It may also indicate that this dress was worn during pregnancy, as garments were often adapted for this period in a woman’s life. Contrary to popular myth, many women remained socially active right up to the time of their delivery. High-waisted dresses like this one provided comfortable and convenient maternity wear, which also concealed early physical changes. The drawstrings at the top and bottom of the front flaps may also have been inserted for pregnancy, to accomodate a growing bust size.
From my icon:
White cotton tarlatan day dress, Kyoto Institute, late 1860s
