The Museum of Historical Costume

Dress, circa 1864

Dress is made of shot silk. It is not richly decorated. The sleeves are trimmed with a strip of fabric. The inside of the bodice is stabilized with natural whalebone. Costumes from that period  were worn with big, conical crinolines with elongated back.

This is an outfit attributable to the peak period of crinolines fashion. From this date, the size of crinoline will be constantly decreasing until it transforms itself into a bustle.

Original vintage dress.