Old Rags

Evening boots, 1885-90 France (probably), the Met Museum

Mourning dress worn by Queen Victoria, 1894-95 UK, the Met Museum

Although custom only required full mourning for a year after the death of a loved one, Queen Victoria mourned her husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, for the fifty years between his death in 1861 and her own in 1901.

(Side note since I know some of you are wondering this) The waist of this dress is likely about 50” (127 cm) if the bloomers Queen Victoria wore around this time are any indication.

Nightgown, 1894 US, the Met Museum

Opera cape, 1898 UK, the Met Museum

Dress, ca 1900 NYC, the Met Museum

Walking dress, 1899-1900 France, the Met Museum

Ballgown by House of Worth, 1898-1903 Paris, the Met Museum

Gym suit, ca 1896 France, the Met Museum

The advance of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century made it so that, for the first time in history, even commoners needed a way to stay in shape.  Previously, the amount of physical work done throughout the day on the farm was more than enough to keep the pounds off and strengthen muscles, but 12+ hours a day sitting in front of a machine at the factory had negative health effects.  Fitness experts developed tools for both public and private gyms such as the treadmill, the exercise bike and the leg press.  Women were expected to use equipment that didn’t cause considerable strain.

Evening dress by House of Worth, 1898-1900 Paris, the Met Museum

Visiting dress by James McCreary & Co, ca 1889 NYC, the Met Museum

Ballgown by Worth, 1896 (modified in 1900) Paris, Musee Galliera

Anyone remember these?  I found the dress!