Old Rags

Medici cage crinoline “with improver”, late 1860’s-early 1870’s

Does anyone know what a Medici cage crinoline is? Is it maybe a brand or model name?

Click to go to the absentee bidding page. This Kerry Taylor auction will end October 16th at 10:30 AM GMT (5:30 AM EST). You will need to register to bid ahead of time.

(Left) Silk dress, ca 1865

(Right) Mourning dress on which little information is given, ca 1907-08? (my guess)

Click to go to the absentee bidding page. This Kerry Taylor auction will end October 16th at 10:30 AM GMT (5:30 AM EST). You will need to register to bid ahead of time.

Interior with Portraits by Thomas Le Clear, ca 1865 US, Smithsonian American Art Museum

August fashions, 1867 France, Journal des Demoiselles

July fashions, 1867 France, Journal des Demoiselles

January fashions, 1867 France, Journal des Demoiselles

March fashions, 1866 France, Journal des Demoiselles

I found this website while searching for pioneer clothing: Fibers of Function. They have a page with bits from the diaries of people (mostly women) going west on the Oregon Trail which mention clothing.

I particularly like this one from the diary of Helen Carpenter:

June 19, 1857
Six days past Fort Kearney, seven to Courthouse Rock

… There is a bride and groom in the Inmann party. The bride wears hoops. We have read of hoops being worn, but they had not reached Kansas before we left so these are the first we have seen and would not recommend them for this mode of traveling. The wearer has less personal privacy than the Pawnee in his blanket. In asides the bride is called “Miss Hoopy.” Fairly good grass in camp and willows for wood.

All of her entries were fun to read, actually. She seems to have been from a rather well off family, or else she just made a particularly comfortable trip.

May fashions, 1855 US, Graham’s Magazine

February ballgowns, 1862 England, Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine

December fashions, 1861 England, Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine