Old Rags

Mourning dress, late 1840’s US, the Metropolitan Museum of Art

(Source: metmuseum.org)

April fashions, 1848 France, Journal des Demoiselles

January ballgowns, 1848 France, Journal des Demoiselles

Dress, 1845-49 US or Europe, the Met Museum

Court dress, ca 1848 Italy (Naples), Museo del Tessuto

Day dress, ca 1848

Portrait of Infanta Luisa Fernanda of Spain by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, ca 1847

Once again, a few different pieces.

Dress: ca 1855 France

Collar: ca 1845-50 Europe

Undersleeves: ca 1855 Europe or United States

Taken by b0dice-g0ddess at the LACMA

Dress worn by First Lady Sarah Polk, late 1840’s and 1880’s United States, Smithsonian Museum of American Art

It used to be that reusing and modifying old clothing passed down within a family was relatively common, especially with morning dress.  This dress, however, was made into an evening dress to be worn by Sarah Polk’s niece in the 1880’s.  It’s too bad there are so many stains on it.  That ice blue is beautiful.

Fashion plate, 1848 US, Godey’s Lady’s Book

Fashion plate, 1848 US, Godey’s Lady’s Book