Fashion Plate - 1857

Godey’s Lady’s Book, February, 1857

While this fashion plate in URI’s collection has been separated from its source, the captions for the identical plate are online at the University of Vermont. Titled “Costumes for a Bridal Reception,” the bride’s dress is described as white silk with rows of rich lace. The “corsage” (bodice front) and sleeves are trimmed to correspond with the skirt. The point lace veil, it was noted, could be worn as a scarf afterwards. The veil is fastened at each side with bouquets of white jasmine and orange flowers. The first bridesmaid, on the left, wears a dress of white tarleton (a sheer fabric) with the outer skirt festooned with oleander blossoms, which also decorate her hair. The bride’s sister wears a white dress trimmed in sprays of ivy. The guest, who is seated, is attired in a dress of rose-colored silk with a flounced skirt.

The flowers and ivy would have been constructed of silk or other materials. The making of artificial flowers and other elaborate trims was a big business in the 19^th century.

Hope Greenberg, Godey’s Lady’s Book, University of Vermont http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/godey/fashion/cpdesc2-57.html (accessed June 11, 2019).