Natural Form / Curaiss Dresses 1877-1881
The bustle collapses in this period to remain at the thigh/knee level. Dresses are fitted very tightly on the upper
body, and skirts are often tied back against the front of the legs to achive the desired slender effect. Trains
on gowns become all the rage, but sanity is preserved in the street with the "round" or "short dress"
which does not gather street trash as you stroll along. Collars are becoming taller- most day dresses from this
era have a stand up collar of some sort- a ruffle, mandrin, or such of about 1" tall. Sleeves are slender,
and an extra piece has been added to bodice patterns to allow closer fitting. The princess dress is also popular
(a dress with no waistline seam to add bulk to the popular slender costume)
Following are some examples of my dress designs from this era.
|
|
A Wrapper
circa 1879
|
This is an example of a house dress or wrapper that would be appropriate from about
1877-1889, depending on the underpinnings you wore with it. The bodice is interlined to the hip level, and the
fabric is a bright paisley print. It is made with a slight demi-train, very elegant for at home wear in a house
with real floors- but it would have been made without for use on the prairie. It buttons all the way down the front
with pearl buttons, and is loose in the front (no darts) which is then held in by a fabric belt set in at the side
darts.
|
|
