Spanish Fashions – Summer 1881

1880s Coastal Pier Fashion Plate from La Moda de la Elegancia Parisiense

This original 1881 hand-colored fashion engraving comes from the July edition (Tomo XIII, No. 29) of the Spanish-language periodical La Moda de la Elegancia Parisiense, published via Correo de Ultramar. The antique print depicts two refined women standing near a wooden harbor pier or dock setting, with a sandy beach and distant figures in the background. Illustrating the early 1880s fashion trends, this historical artwork highlights the transition toward elongated, form-fitting silhouettes and specialized outdoor resort wear tailored for the European elite.

Victorian Maritime Resort Gowns, Calico Prints, and Sun Parasols

The seaside composition showcases distinct mid-summer ensembles, featuring a lady in a vibrant teal-blue patterned calico walking gown detailed with delicate white lace trims, a draped overskirt, and a closed black parasol. Her companion models a soft mauve-pink day dress adorned with a subtle floral print, a gathered asymmetrical kilted skirt, and a matching pink sun umbrella. Crowned with elaborate floral bonnets and ribboned straw hats, this collectible engraving serves as an exceptional visual reference for late Victorian textile patterns and maritime leisure attire.