French Ball Gowns – 1895

Late Victorian Eveningwear: 1895 La Mode Illustrée French Fashion Plate

This striking antique lithograph from the premier French publication La Mode Illustrée offers an authentic look into high-society eveningwear from 1895. Published at Rue Jacob in Paris, this original period illustration highlights the artistic transition of Belle Époque and late Victorian aesthetics just before the turn of the century. Such detailed historical plates provide invaluable references for costume curators, vintage textile appraisers, and theatrical designers aiming to replicate the sophisticated garment structures and luxury textile draping of the mid-1890s elite.

Belle Époque Gowns: Dramatic Leg-of-Mutton Sleeves and Lattice Bodices

The archival engraving features two women showcasing contrasting formal ball gowns, characterized by the iconic “gigot” or leg-of-mutton sleeve silhouette that dominated 1895 trends. The figure on the left wears a pale satin skirt paired with a unique green velvet bodice that incorporates a decorative gold trellis or lattice overlay and long white opera gloves. Her companion models a soft mauve pink silk gown featuring voluminous pleated sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a prominent bow detail on the front panel, complemented by a delicate lace folding fan that defines Gilded Age accessory etiquette.