French Fashions – 1866-1867

Two women are depicted in a parlor. The woman on the left wears her hair in a roll at the back. She faces away, so only the back of her dress can be seen. Her dress is tan, and has a short train. Over her dress she wears a maroon velvet jacket with white fur edging. There are laced cords along the side seams of the jacket from her waist to the hem, with tassels at the ends of the cords. Similar lacing is on the lower part of the jacket sleeves. She wears pendant earrings. The woman on the right wears small, narrow brimmed hat with a wide black lace ribbon tied under her chin, with the ends descending almost to her waist. Her green dress has long narrow sleeves, buttons down the center front, and a belted waist. At the tops and hems of her sleeves and hem of her skirt, there is a trimming of black bobble fringe, with black lace above it at the hem only. Both skirts are very wide; it is the height of the crinoline fashion.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges