The Ornamented Being

I’m comfortable dating this in the mid-1880. It laces in the back and it has a sharp little V which emphasized how small the waist was. Also the front of the dress suggests that it sweeps back to a small bustle. 

The moire bow is really what has my attention. I have an obsession with wide Victorian ribbon and the watered effect is just beautiful!

I have a nagging feeling that this is  from the V&A, the style of photography is similar to theirs so I’ll go check that out and get back to you!

EDIT: Eureka!! It is 1880s and from the V&A! Here is what Victoria and Albert had to say: May Littledale (née Primrose) wore this romantic ball gown shortly after her marriage to Henry Littledale in 1885. Unfortunately she did not have long to enjoy it as she died in a riding accident the following year.

May had excellent taste in dress and the gown is at the height of fashion for its time. The heavily boned bodice is laced behind like a corset and extends into a deep point, which gracefully curves over the back of the skirt. This emphasises the tiny waist and bustled (padded at the rear) silhouette that were hallmarks of stylish dress in the mid-1880s. The bodice is also cut fairly high on the hips to allow for the folds of moiré silk draped across the front and sides of the dress to complement the huge bow. 

During this period drapery was often composed of separate pieces mounted onto the foundation skirt rather than being formed by the cut of the skirt. Here, a small cushion sewn into the back of the waist and a stiffened lining pulled into shape by tapes help the skirt project behind while remaining flat in front.

… I’m slightly creeped out that I basically described what the V&A said.