American Fashions – Spring 1862

Four women are depicted outside. The woman on the left wears a pink bonnet with white and black lace and white ribbon. Her dress is black with a purple star pattern on the bottom of the skirt and the sleeves, and down the skirt. Her sleeves are long bells. The woman next to her wears a white lace cap. Her dress is mint green with short sleeves and bands of pleated ruffles at the hem. Her bodice is trimmed with white lace ruffles and three black bows.

Her accessories are a gold bracelet on each arm and she carries a small bouquet of flowers in her left hand. The woman next to her wears a blue bonnet with black lace and a white plume. Her dress is brown with a blue pattern on the sleeves and hem of the skirt. She holds a white handkerchief in her right hand. The woman on the right wears a white bonnet with white ribbons and lace. Her dress is blue with long full sleeves. There are blue and black pleated ruffles in alternating rows on the hem of her skirt.

She also holds a small bouquet of flowers in her right hand. All the skirts are very wide and most are lavishly trimmed; it is the height of the crinoline fashion.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges