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Dress, 1880s

The prudish Victorian ideals of the 1880s were clearly reflected in women’s clothing as well as in interior decor. The female body as well as chairs’ legs needed to be concealed in order to prevent arousing male desires. Interiors and clothing were dark and richly decorated with ruffles, tassels and fringes.

The main focus was on the derriere, where a bustle held the fabric out from the body. In front, the skirt was narrow and difficult to move in. The upper body was laced tightly in a corset and the sleeves too were narrow.

A skirt with an overgown, known as a casaque, most likely named after the uniform worn by the Cosacks. The fabric is a brown silk rep trimmed with brown, machine-woven tulle lace. The skirt has a small train and the lining is ruched at the derriere to create extra volume on top of the bustle.

Material

Silk

Length

Bodice 75 cm, skirt 160 cm

Technique

Rep, tulle

Inventory number

KM 34498