Evening Dresses – 1810

Two women in full evening dress for 1810. The woman on the left stands wearing a white, silk hat. Two large white feathers cascade down the left side. The front of the hat comes to a gentle peak with yellow trim. Her jewelry includes a pair of gold, dangling, hoop earrings and a gold necklace. Her dress is white, long sleeved, full length and off the shoulder.

The neckline is trimmed with a thick twisted fabric or cord. There is a gold brooch at the center where the neck comes to a “V”. The dress has an empire waist and two darts over either side of the bodice, both trimmed in yellow. The cuffs have matching yellow trim. Yellow buttons mounted on yellow ribbon file down the entire length of the center of the dress.

The way the fabric of the dress shines and picks up the light suggests that it is silk or satin. The dress has a small train. Her accessories include a pair of white gloves and white, pointed shoes with yellow trim. In her hand she holds sheet music. The woman on the right is sitting with her back towards the viewer. She wears a similar hat to that of the other woman except in forest green. Two green feathers adorn the top and cascade to the left side. The bodice of her dress is forest green with yellow trim and darts at the empire waist.

The dress has long sleeves and a comes to a “V” in the back. The neckline is thick, twisted fabric or cord. The skirt of the dress is plain white. The woman is playing the harpsichord which is colorless, but has ornate detailing on the leg. A stand holding sheet music is on top of the instrument. The woman sits on a colorless round stool with fringe hanging from the cushion and ornate woodwork around the legs and seat.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges