French Fashions – Spring 1904

A woman stands in three-quarter view modeling an elaborate pale blue gown. A stream, bridge, and a house with a porch and a flag in the background provides a holiday setting. Her dress is pale blue with white trimmings, inspired by fashions of the 17th century. The fabric of the entire dress is of softly pleated fabric. The bodice has a wide double collar of pleated pale blue, extending over her shoulders above a softly pleated white fichu. A pair of medium blue ribbon rosettes adorn each side of the bodice where the collar attaches.

Each side of the bodice has two vertical rows of white trimming consisting of bands of white rosettes on vines. The sleeves are full and elbow length, with two rows of similar white trimming on each. The sleeves are gathered in at the elbow with medium blue ribbon with a bow at the front. Below the elbows are wide white lace ruffles in the 17th century style, wide at the back and becoming narrower at the front of each ruffle. The waist is defined with a medium blue band with a point at the front and a pair of buttons. The skirt fits over the hips and flares out into a trumpet shape and into a short train.

Four bands of white rosettes and leaves carry on the lines of the bodice trim at the front of the skirt, ending with medium blue rosettes on each band at the hem. At the back the skirt has at least four layers with each layer shorter than the layer below. She wears tan elbow length gloves, and holds a white parasol with a blue band around the edge. Her hat is a medium blue straw hat with a turned up brim, trimmed with groups of small pink flowers on the brim and at the back.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges