American Fashions – 1846

Four women are depicted in a city street in front of storefronts. Two are facing away while the other two converse with each other. The farthest left wears a bonnet, dress and cloak. The bonnet is blue with white feathers. The dress is light blue but mostly covered by the cloak. The cloak is brown and edged with black velvet or fur and brown fringe. The second to left wears a bonnet, dress and mantelet. Her bonnet is white with lavender ribbon. Her dress is also lavender and is edged with two rows of black netting or lace.

Her mantelet is medium green edged with triangular trim. The bodice has three rosettes. The second from right wears a bonnet, cloak and dress. Her bonnet is white with white feathers. Her dress is light blue, long sleeved and off the shoulder. Her cloak is a sheer black lace and also hangs off the shoulder. The woman at the farthest right wears a bonnet, dress and cloak. Her bonnet is a pale blue with matching ribbon and feathers. Her dress is a light golden brown.

Her cloak is bright blue and off the shoulder in the same manner and the previous cloak, and tied with a golden cord ending in tassels, and is trimmed with ruffles and lined in gold or peach color.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges