Stuck Between Civil War & Bustle

1869 Le Moniteur de la Mode
1869 Le Moniteur de la Mode

This newly acquired fashion plate from 1869 really struck a chord with me. Probably the blue and stripes thing. Not to mention that both evening gowns are made of gorgeous silk taffeta or satin. What are your thoughts on this transitional fashion plate?

The white skirt can be made from a good cotton base with rows of silk ruffles mounted onto the cotton and topped with blue silk ribbon or fabric bias bands. I also love the sheer overskirt – made from a very thin voile or organdy – as it drapes over the ruffles.

But then there are the vertical stripes of the bodice falling down onto the overskirt on the side backs. So looking at that, the bodice could be a princess-type garment. Just take a look at the lady on the right.

She is wearing an overdress – bodice and skirt together – over a mustard silk under skirt with a chemisette or under bodice to fill in the low neckline.

Quite interesting fashion as you can imagine the overskirts pulled up a la polonaise style that was so popular in the 1870s. hmmm…

Plate provided by Julie Burnsides of Snapdragon Design.

2 thoughts on “Stuck Between Civil War & Bustle

  1. DannyJane says:

    The skirts appear to be over elliptical hoops, so I get the impression this is the transition period between the hoop and the bustle. That’s my own personal favorite.

  2. Niamh says:

    Oooh! The purple stripes look like they’re ON the sheer overlayer… I’d almost vote trim or something.

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