Promenade Dress – Spring 1821

A woman wears a soft blue promenade dress with long sleeves and an empire waist. The dress fastens down the front and is closed by a blue belt under the bust and three large, blue bows down the front of the skirt. The hem is finished with three blue-on-blue bands, and a high, standing collar with two white ruffs shows inside the collar of the dress. Points of soft blue fabric stick out from the shoulders, which are also decorated with loops threaded with ribbon. The sleeves are scalloped at the cuffs and fasten with three buttoned, blue bands. The woman’s bonnet is soft blue lined with pink. It has a deep brim, ties under the chin with a blue bow, and is decorated with blue and white plumes. A long white lacy veil hangs from the brim, which she holds up with her right hand. She wears yellow gloves and blue shoes and is about to walk up some stairs.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges