American Promenade Dress – Spring 1902

This black and white illustration of a woman in an American promenade dress is surrounded by text describing in detail the latest “Gibson” style fashions. She faces the viewer in a long skirt and matching long-sleeved jacket, both with linear black braid detailing. She wears a high-collared blouse underneath her jacket, with three parallel bands of black braid, alternating with bands of lace, all pointed at the center front, forming chevrons.

The bodice of her jacket has a released pleat at each shoulder, and wide lapels decorated with bands of braid which line up with those on the blouse beneath, and which have small buttons at every end. The jacket sleeves are plain and fitted, with a decorative treatment at the cuffs, consisting of two parallel bands, pointed on the upper side of the sleeve, with a band of lace between, and a flared ruffle over the hand, with another banding of braid.

At the waist is a black band or belt, and a short peplum with bands of braid ends just below the waist. The skirt is fitted smoothly to about knee level, where it flares out creating fullness for ease of walking. The center front panel of the skirt has two vertical sections of three bands, ending with buttons.

The rear sections of the skirt have five bands of braid at the hem. She wears a straw hat decorated with flowers and greenery, and carries a furled umbrella. In her right hand she holds a folded piece of paper, possibly a letter.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges