American Fashions – Autumn 1895

Explore the Lavish Design of 1895 Gilded Age Evening Gowns

This exquisite 1895 antique fashion illustration from La Mode de Paris highlights the romantic aesthetic of late Victorian high-society attire. The print features an elegant woman in a luxurious lavender or lilac gown, distinguished by massive, layered gigot sleeves in a contrasting purple hue. Intricate lace details adorn the shoulders and high collar, while the structured golden waist cinch transitions beautifully into a floor-length A-line skirt with delicate floral embellishments and a gold-trimmed hemline. Holding a fresh bouquet of colorful flowers and a closed parasol, this figure embodies the opulence of the nineteenth-century elite.

Historical Importance of La Mode de Paris Antique Costume Plates

Originally published by A. McDowell and Co. in New York and printed by Henry Petit Editeur in Paris, this rare plate (Fig 284) stands as a vital primary source for late Victorian textile research. The detailed depiction of accessories, from the floral-adorned wide-brim hat to the stylized parasol handle, illustrates the meticulous coordination required in historical dressmaking. Celebrated by collectors and costume historians alike, this hand-colored fashion engraving perfectly documents the transatlantic cultural exchange between European design and New York’s prominent Gilded Age fashion houses.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges