German Fashions -Summer 1888

Gilded Age Summer Promenade Costumes in 1888 German Engraving

This original hand-colored fashion plate from July 29, 1888, published in the German periodical Illustrirte Frauen-Zeitung, captures high-society outdoor apparel designed for summer walks. The picturesque background showcases a scenic public park with lush green trees, a rustic wooden bench, and a small gazebo by a pond. The foreground features two elegant women modeling distinct promenade dresses from the late Victorian era. The lady on the left wears a tailored rose-pink striped day dress paired with a dark belt, black gloves, and a matching floral bonnet. Next to her, the companion presents an olive-brown dress heavily embellished with an intricate white lace apron panel, elaborate ruffles, and a deep red wrap draped over her arm, illustrating the highly layered textile trends of late 19th-century European fashion.

Antique Late Victorian Park Attire and Rear-View Bustle Diagram

An exceptional resource for clothing history and Gilded Age costume design, this historic German print features a small inset illustration in the lower right corner showing the rear view of both walking gowns. This technical sketch reveals the structure of the high bustle skirts and back pleat arrangements, offering valuable guidance for period seamstresses and antique pattern makers. The prominent elaborate straw hats decorated with tulle, ribbons, and summer yellow flowers reflect the strict millinery etiquette of 1880s Berlin and Paris high society, making this antique engraving highly searchable for textile researchers, theatrical costumers, and vintage art dealers.