The Ornamented Being

Mourning Cape

Abraham & Straus  (American)

The Met says: Victorian mourning traditions were complex and circumscribed. Full mourning, with its proscribed all-black clothing, lasted a year and a day, while second mourning, which followed, lasted six to nine months and allowed for some use of trim and small jewelry. Half-mourning lasted three to six months and allowed for more elaborate fabrics and jewelry. This cape is an example of a half-mourning evening garment. It was purchased at Abraham & Straus by Brooklyn resident Florence Madden Adriance (1878-1915), who was the grandmother of the donors.Founded in 1865 as Wechsler & Abraham by Abraham Abraham (1843-1911) and Joseph Wechsler (ca. 1837-n.d.), Abraham & Straus became the largest department in store in Brooklyn during the late 19th and early 20th centuri

All Souls Day - 1859 by William Adolphe Bouguereau

ca.1895

The Met

A beautiful as well as large parasol, it is decidedly for mourning. This fact is evidenced by the hidden mourning crepe found in the middle layer between the taffeta and the densely ruched mousseline de soie. The handle is also extremely refined.

This should blot out the sun quite nicely. 

I’ve decided to wear this modern interpretation of a mourning bonnet to class. 

I shall sit in front of my lecturers and make weeping sounds.

And they will be freaked out.

Because I rock.

late 1840s

The Met

This is what I feel like wearing right now.

Victorian Mourning Dress, c. 1880