American Fashions – Spring 1896

A woman is standing on a sidewalk. She is dressed in a plum colored dress with dark green stripes. Her dress has extremely full leg o’ mutton sleeves and an open bodice with deep green velvet lapels, and a short pleated peplum. Under this is a white lace or brocade blouse with a high standing collar with one or two bows at the back. She wears a cameo brooch pinned on the collar.

Two white buttons fasten the lapels at the waist. The skirt is gored in sections and pleated at the back to create fullness at the hem. She is wearing white gloves, and is holding an furled umbrella. Her purple hat is flat brimmed and decorated with green bows, pink flowers, a white plume, and an oval buckle at the front. She wears round gold earrings. Behind her is a metal fence, trees, and city buildings behind the trees.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges