American Fashions – 1895

Two women stand on a balcony looking out onto the city. The woman on the left is in a maroon long-sleeved dress with full leg o’ mutton sleeves and a lace collar. The upper sleeves, lapels, and sash are of deep maroon velvet and bands of trim with velvet spots and an interlocking pattern edge the hem and lower sleeves.

Her bodice has a pointed section of white lace, and more pleated lace extends out over the sleeves. The skirt is flared out from the narrow waist to create a wide hem. Her hat is of maroon velvet trimmed with plumes and bows. She rests her right hand on the balcony railing. The woman on the left is wearing a light yellow long-sleeved suit with leg o’ mutton sleeves. Her white blouse has a high collar and buttons down the center front. She wears a oval cameo at the neck.

Her jacket is velvet with a standing collar, wide lapels, and a hip length peplum. Her skirt flairs out and has two bands of velvet with purple spots as trimming at the side fronts of the skirt. Matching spots trim the jacket at the fronts. She has maroon bows with standing black feathers in her hair, and is holding a furled umbrella. A potted plant and a chair are visible in the back next to the windows.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges