The Ornamented Being

Making ruffs and having historic facepalm moments.

Two-piece day dress, green silk faille & chenille (dyed with arsenic-based green dyes) , c. 1865, USA, Museum purchase, FIT collection. Photograph courtesy FIT.

c. 864

Met: A rounded shoulderline that enhanced the length of the neck was prized through most of the nineteenth century. From the 1830s to the 1880s, it was accomplished by the lowered splayed stance of corset straps. The open neckline apparent in this wedding dress and the underbodice of this summer gown from the period suggests its romantic effect.

Wedding Ensemble

c. 1871

Met

c. 1857

V&A: Wedding dress of ivory figured silk with a pattern woven ‘en disposition’ of formal flowers with an undulating band above and a scalloped band below.

The dress consists of the evening bodice attached to the skirt. The bodice has a low, wide, pointed neckline, short straight sleeves covered with gathered bands of matching tulle, and a point front and back. The waist is trimmed with a double rouleau of self mate rail. The bodice is boned at front and side and back seams and lined with white glazed cotton. The neck is trimmed with a narrow frill of blond lace through which a black velvet ribbon passes. There is a lace fastening at the centre back with a hook at the top and bottom. On the front are stitch marks suggesting a jewel, flower or other trimming were attached.

The skirt is flat pleated except at the centre back where it is set in organ pleats. It has three flounces, the pattern en disposition each trimmed with matching silk fringe. The dress is lined with tarlatan.

T.10A-1970 The jacket bodice has a cape and basque trimmed ‘en disposition’ and with white silk fringe. The neck is high and the jacket fastens down the centre front with concealed hooks and eyes. Circular motif with pendant balls are stitched to the front, two more at the back waist. The sleeved are elbow length with a gathered top and a wide frilled fringed cuff. Body lined in white glazed cotton, skirts with silk.

The outfit would be worn with an orange blossom wreath.

Brilliant idea!

About 1865

“Dress in two parts with separate belt. Ribbed silk widely striped pink and white; short bodice with low-cut sloping neck; full skirt, slight train in back, trimmed with panels of white ribbed silk, points of white satin and white silk lace, separate folded white satin belt with ribbed white silk lappets and pink satin.”

MFA

John Everett Millais  (1829-1869)  – Trust me

AND Caption! GO?!

Jezebel 

The lady in black reminds me of this:

*hands head low.* I’ve gone to a very sad place.