Ball Costume 1825
Ball Costume 1825
Early days of the crinoline - 1855
Early days of the crinoline - 1855
French Restoration period - 1823
French Restoration period - 1823
The 1830 Effect
The 1830 Effect
The 1840 style
The 1840 style
The Extreme of the Crinoline - 1862
NO radical change in womens' costumes occurrred until the early fifties when what are known as the "Second Empire" styles were introduced. A remarkable feature of the fashions set by Eugenie, the consort of Napoleon III, was the enormous crinoline, of which we have more than once in recent years been threatened with a revival. The monstrous dimensions of women's skirts during the period from 1853 to the early seventies afforded an excellent theme for the pencil of the comic artist, and those who care to search the volumes of "Punch" and other illustrated publications of English and French origin, as well as those produced at the time in this country, will find both exact reproductions and caricatures of this style of costume.
The Grecian Bend
The Grecian Bend , a feature of the late 70's
The more practical gown of the Empire Period
The more practical gown of the Empire Period
Tie-back skirt
Tie-back skirt Late '7o's and Early '8o's The bustle remained an important feature after the panier effect had been discarded. The skirts were made severely plain and were pulled back by strings, so as to fit with extreme snugness in the front. At the back, however, they were drawn out over a bustle of such extent that the fashion plates of the late '70's now have the appearance of caricatures.