American Fashions – Spring 1899

A woman is dressed in a high-collared light blue dress with sections of white lace. In the top left hand corner is a back view of the dress. The pale blue fabric has a faint white overall pattern. The sleeves are elbow length, with some puffing at the shoulders and a blue ruffle edged with white lace at the elbow.

The tight undersleeves are of white lace, and also end with a ruffle at the wrist. The bodice has an extremely high collar ending just below the ear, and consists of four alternating sections, two of white lace and two of shirred pale blue in inverted v shapes, with points at the center front. The back view continues the large zigzags of the front, with a deep v at center back reaching to the waist. The skirt has a flared line, with more fullness at the back, and a slight train.

Two tiers of lace-edged ruffles ornament the hem, and above those is a band of lace-edged ruching in gentle zigzags. Around her waist she wears a striking black sash with two round clasps or buckles at the waist. The back of the sash is fastened in a double bow and then falls all the way to the hem, ending in ruffles and ruching. She is wearing a blue and black hat trimmed with a large black bow with a buckle, and with bright pink flowers.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges