Walking and Evening Dresses – Summer 1822

The woman on the left wears a blue walking dress with an empire waist, long sleeves, and a high collar. The dress fastens down the front and there are large, white, leaves on either side. The leaves start at the neck and end at the hem, following the hem of the skirt. The sleeves puff at the shoulders and are decorated with the same leaf pattern.

White lace edges the cuffs and high collar. She wears yellow gloves, white stockings, and blue shoes with bows at the toes. Her bonnet is blue with a deep brim and ties under the chin with a white bow. It is lined in white and trimmed with white lace and a large white plume. She holds a white handkerchief in her left hand. The woman on the right wears a white evening dress with short, puffed sleeves and a high waist. The low neck is edged with a white ruffle, and the sleeves are banded with pink and decorated with pink oak leaves.

A pink band runs along the hem, which is decorated with pink flowers and oversize pink leaf motifs set off with white ruffles. The back of the bodice is adorned with pink ribbon bands and two pink oak leaves. A pink sash runs under the bust and ties in a bow in back. She wears white shoes and elbow-length gloves. Her earrings are white, as is her necklace, which ties in back. She wears sprigs of pink flowers and a gold comb in her hair. She is seated on a low, ornate footstool with an upholstered top. Her back is to the viewer, but she turns, in profile, to watch her companion.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges