Bridal Fashions – Autumn 1876

Historical significance of Parisian bridal and autumn etiquette in 1876

This original, hand-colored engraving from the October 1876 issue of Peterson’s Magazine illustrates the dramatic shift in silhouette that defined late-Victorian fashion. Titled “Les Modes Parisiennes,” the plate highlights a bridal party and high-society autumn gathering, capturing the rigid social customs of the era where elaborate layered silk trains, heavy textures, and contrasting structural daywear signaled wealth and adherence to strict seasonal dress codes.

Design analysis of late 1870s cuirass bodice and bustle silhouettes

The illustration showcases the narrow, form-fitting “cuirass bodice” style that replaced the wide hoop skirts of previous decades, shifting volume tightly to the back into heavily draped bustles and cascading pleated trains. Notable garment details include the bride’s white satin gown with a floor-length tulle veil, alongside visiting dresses in deep copper, rich crimson, and dark teal wool, beautifully accented with heavy velvet trims, fur borders, and tall structured bonnets.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges