Victorian Fashion > Victorian Hats > Victorian Corsets

Evening Dress 1867

Showcased is a stunning blue silk faille evening gown with a bodice, trained skirt, and separate peplum. This exquisite dress is abundantly decorated with yards upon yards of white silk braid and white and blue silk ribbon.

The elegant gown is worn off the shoulder and features short tight sleeves ornamented with puffs. The highlight of the bodice is a row of decorative glass bead drops or pendants. This style dress was fashionable during the second half of the 1860s. The design of the bodice remains unchanged, but the long trained skirt shows signs of having been altered to accommodate an expanding waistline and changes in fashion.

The workmanship devoted to creating this fashion masterpiece is accentuated with the details hidden from view. Beneath the skirt are hand-finished seams edged with silk ribbon and a stiff muslin knife pleated frill edged with handmade lace.

Silk Evening Dress:
This silk evening dress features two skirts -- the lower-skirt has a long train. Both skirts are trimmed with white lace; the upper-skirt has a white lace flounce brought down each side of the front, scarf-wise.

Ball Dress 1867:
An elegant ball dress of white tulle is trimmed with six narrow ruffles around the bottom. Above the ruffles are five rows of crimson and black silk, put on in large scallops. The square waist is trimmed to correspond with the skirt. A broad, black sash, embroidered in corn-flowers, and with a deep crimson fringe, completes this charming costume.