Fashion Plate - The Bustle Begins, 1869

Journal des Demoiselles, 1869

As the 1860s came to a close, the silhouette shifted away from the cage crinoline towards fullness at the back. Thus began the first phase of the bustle silhouette. In this plate, the figure is positioned to show this new development. Skirts were often draped, with trains becoming popular even for daytime wear. In this case, the scalloped extensions below the waist are gathered and puffed in the back to form the bustle. The plate shows the latest hairstyles and collar treatments for this look.

Fashion magazines such as this did not provide sewing instructions. It woud be up to the dressmake to translate the illustration into a wearable garment.