Historic Women's Fashion

A showcase of vintage dresses and undergarments from the 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting intricate designs, fabrics, and historical significance.

Long wide-sloping baby slip dress in white cotton, narrow edge along the neck and short sleeves, with christening dress, christening clothes baby clothing children's clothing evening wear clothing part cotton lace mid back, skirt, shoulder w 22.0 sleeve, under w 115,0 textile ribbon lace white batiste dress with embroidery in hourglass shape at the front short sleeves slip dress of white cotton dress baby child boy girl baptism baptism church religion religious ceremony

Underdress 1820-25 American. Underdress 175519

White cotton underdress, lace trim along the sleeves, part of christening dress, christening clothes baby clothing children's clothing wear clothing part cotton, textile sewn lace Christening gown consisting of: slip dress topdressed overdressed overcoat bodice Fine white cotton with English embroidery Bottom dress: smooth white cotton square neckline with cord smooth short sleeves with lace machine lace and waist with drawstring pleated skirt with two looping above the hem baptism baptism christian religion religious ceremony ceremony dress baby child boy girl

Evening ensemble. Culture: French. Design House: House of Lanvin (French, founded 1889). Designer: Jeanne Lanvin (French, 1867-1946). Date: spring/summer 1935.Jeanne Lanvin was apprenticed to a milliner and a dressmaker before opening her own millinery shop in 1889. She expanded into dressmaking when her clients began asking for the ensembles in which she adorned her daughter, Marguerite di Pietro (1897-1958). Her style embodied the femininity of youth in a most modern way with meticulous and relatively sparse surface embellishments and robe de style silhouettes, which could be worn by women of all ages. Lanvin's aptitude can be seen through her house's 1920s expansion into fur, lingerie, men's wear, household goods and perfume. She even had the forethought to open her own dye factory which produced the inimitable 'Lanvin blue.' The longevity of the House of Lanvin can be credited to her attentive management and design standards from its inception.This kimono-style dress expresses La

Petticoat 1845-55 American. Petticoat 85001

Morning dress 1874 American. Morning dress 109242

Long skirt made of thin white cotton, decorated at the bottom with an edge of English embroidery., Anonymous, c. 1860 A children's skirt from Batist with embroidered edges. Netherlands cotton (textile) embroidering A children's skirt from Batist with embroidered edges. Netherlands cotton (textile) embroidering

Long wide-sloping baby slip dress in white cotton, narrow edge along the neck and short sleeves, with christening dress, christening clothes baby clothing children's clothing evening wear clothing part cotton lace mid back, skirt, shoulder w 22.0 sleeve, under w 115,0 textile ribbon lace white batiste dress with embroidery in hourglass shape at the front short sleeves slip dress of white cotton dress baby child boy girl baptism baptism church religion religious ceremony

Chemise 1887 American or European. Chemise. American or European. 1887. cotton

Chemise. Culture: American. Date: ca. 1860. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Coat, Medium: silk, Flame-colored taffeta, trimmed with cording and tassels of same color., probably England, 1700-1750, costume & accessories, Coat

Dressing gown ca. 1819 American. Dressing gown. American. ca. 1819. cotton

Underskirt 1875-1925 American or European. Underskirt 86311

Evening dress 1809 French Fine Indian mull was cherished in this period where the sheer quality was the most important aspect of everyday dress. This particular mull gown, with its tambour embroidery, would have been highly valued by its owner.The Empire silhouette is readily identified with its origins in the chiton of ancient Greco-Romans, which was a tubular garment draped from the shoulders and sometimes belted beneath the bust. Several re-interpretations have occurred throughout costume history but none have been as notable as the period bridging the rectangular panierred skirts of the 18th century and the conical hoop skirts of the 19th century. The neoclassic style was adopted in all forms of decoration after the French Revolution and was upheld during the Napoleonic Wars partly due to Napoleon Bonaparte's (1769-1821) alliance with Greco-Roman principles. In fashion, the style began as children's wear made from fine white cotton, but was adopted by women in the form of a tubular

Overdress belonging to christening dress, made of fine white cotton with embroidery anglaise, christening clothes baby clothing children's clothing occasion clothing garment cotton, textile embroidery broderie anglaise sewed Christening gown consisting of: slip dress topdressed overshoes overcoat bodice Fine white cotton with English embroidery dress child baby boy girl christening baptisms church religion religious ceremony

Child's Robe ca. mid-19th-early 20th century This robe with its smaller dimensions was probably intended for a child or a small woman from the middle or upper classes. A luxurious garment, the dress is made of lavish beige-green moiré silk fabric with the characteristic wavy surface finish and a repeat pattern of feathery leaves and flowers in delicate earthen-tones of rose, greens, or yellow finely embroidered in silk. While the overall shape evokes Ottoman entari robes of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the sharply defined fitted waist and flaring skirt, as well as the bodice sewn of individually tailored pieces point to a more western fashion tradition. Such features are frequently associated with the Balkan tradition. The long decorative sleeves with scalloped double slits, which would have revealed the wearers undershirt, is characteristically Balkan. This example with a triangular panel hanging down in the front of the sleeve presents a less common asymmetrical and

Children's dress with short puffed sleeve and back of white cotton decorated with English embroidery, rise and along the neck with a lace edge., Anonymous cotton (textile). embroidering cotton (textile). embroidering

Underskirt 1840-60 American or European. Underskirt 86284

Evening dress 1820-25 American. Evening dress. American. 1820-25. Cotton

Wedding chemise ca. 1850 American or European. Wedding chemise 109190

Children's dress; 19th/20th century (1880-00-00-1920-00-00);

elegant woman in fashionable stylish dress posing in the studio

Children's dress with long sleeve, from behind, from behind, with very low waist, closure, pleated skirt and two side pockets, from écru linen, decorated with English embroidery, anonymous, c. 1875 - c. 1880 A girl's dress of sturdy, ecrukligluig linen with sewn white English embroidery and galon. Victorian. Worn by Nine Bosch Reitz (1867-1951); Later Mrs. H. M. A. F. Six van Hillegom-Bosch Reitz. On this pendant a bunch of mother-of-knots (22 pieces) was found, which are now in VI-109 under inv.no. BK-TN-2342. Amsterdam linen (material) embroidering A girl's dress of sturdy, ecrukligluig linen with sewn white English embroidery and galon. Victorian. Worn by Nine Bosch Reitz (1867-1951); Later Mrs. H. M. A. F. Six van Hillegom-Bosch Reitz. On this pendant a bunch of mother-of-knots (22 pieces) was found, which are now in VI-109 under inv.no. BK-TN-2342. Amsterdam linen (material) embroidering

Petticoat 1840-60 American. Petticoat 174304

Dress 1845-46 American. Dress 103514

Dressing gown 1820-30 French. Dressing gown 90803

Fashion, 20th century. Nightgown, 1950s. Detail.

Dressing jacket 1870s American. Dressing jacket 109203

Jeanne Lanvin (1867-1946). Together evening dress in black satin and pink peach and peach pink in peach pink satin, embroidered with pink pearls on silver sequins, summer 1937 (front view). Galliera, fashion museum of the city of Paris. 25960-1 Silver, Bolero, Embroidery, Crepe, Ensemble, Female, Woman, Paillette, Pearl, Rose, Satin, evening

Wedding ensemble. Culture: American. Date: 1877. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ensemble 1889 French. Ensemble 103680

Wit lint, anonymous, c. 1850 - c. 1920 White ribbon belonging to baptismal dress with tuldoor stop and sloping dress. A blue ribbon has been strung through the neck, two beige ribbons around the waist. Netherlands silk White ribbon belonging to baptismal dress with tuldoor stop and sloping dress. A blue ribbon has been strung through the neck, two beige ribbons around the waist. Netherlands silk

Robe. Dimensions: Length at CB: 55 in. (139.7 cm)Width at Bottom: 44 in. (111.8 cm). Date: early 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Cape 1775-1800 British Emergent fashion plates at the end of the eighteenth century document the wearing of wraps and capes. Their role was aesthetic, complementing dresses, but it was also one of providing another layer of warmth or protection. Silk taffeta would not have been a wintry wrap, but would have trapped enough body warmth to make real difference in the wearer's contentment in changeable fall weather.. Cape. British. 1775-1800. silk

Nightgown 1860s probably American. Nightgown 109086

"Tulipes Hollandaises" (textile) 1889 House of Worth French Worth was constantly interested in supporting the textile industry as evidenced in this cape, which is designed to showcase its textile to the extreme. The textile itself has a repeat which is over three feet long making it stunning but also making it extremely difficult to weave. The dramatic fabric, "Tulipes Hollandaises," was exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1889 in Paris and won a grand prize. The tulips have an aggressive dynamic quality about them with the brilliant, vibrant colors against the deep black background consistent with the seductive femme fatale sensibility of the 1880s and 1890s.Charles Frederick Worth was born in England and spent his young adulthood working for textile merchants in London while researching art history at museums. In 1845 he moved to Paris and worked as a salesman and a dressmaker before partnering with Otto Bobergh to open the dressmaking shop, Worth and Bobergh, in 1858. They we

Dress for baby or baptismal dress, of white batist with embroidery, lace and Persian ajour., Anonymous Dress for baby or baptismal dress, from white batist with embroidery, lace and Persian ajour. Striking ribbons from side seams. Short puffed sleeves with sculpted embroidered edge. Collar with the same edge and trimmed with lace. From the shoulders over the back -cut tires with embroidery. cotton (textile). batiste. embroidering Dress for baby or baptismal dress, from white batist with embroidery, lace and Persian ajour. Striking ribbons from side seams. Short puffed sleeves with sculpted embroidered edge. Collar with the same edge and trimmed with lace. From the shoulders over the back -cut tires with embroidery. cotton (textile). batiste. embroidering

Pelisse ca. 1805 French. Pelisse 175837

Dress of dark green taf side, anonymous, c. 1930 - c. 1950 Dress of dark green reflective taf side. Model: High round neck without a collar; Split with dust button and loop; Side closure with six printers. Short puffed sleeves. On the buttocks four slippery as a queue. Decoration: Passed on the bottom with five velvet straps. Netherlands silk Dress of dark green reflective taf side. Model: High round neck without a collar; Split with dust button and loop; Side closure with six printers. Short puffed sleeves. On the buttocks four slippery as a queue. Decoration: Passed on the bottom with five velvet straps. Netherlands silk

Cape. Culture: British. Date: 1795-1800.The extraordinary embroidery of this cape shows the delight of the British in the age-old tradition of representing nature in embroidery. The whimsy and pleasure expressed in the embroidery is evident. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Formal dress with belt and petticoat unknown

Woman's Dress

Dress 1805-10 American. Dress 173440

Day dress. Black satin. Années 30. Galliera, fashion museum of the city of Paris. 76202-12 Annies 1930 Thirty, haute couture, long handle, feminine mode, black, fold, short dress, day dress, please dress, satin

Nightgown ca. 1890 French. Nightgown. French. ca. 1890. cotton

Anonymous, 1910. Ivory linen canvas, hand embroidery on the ivory wire and beige thread, hook lace on linen, wrist closed by 4 small flowerfield balls. Palais Galliera, fashion museum of the city of Paris.

Pantalets 1855-59 American. Pantalets 173545

Evening dress 1810-12 American or European Fine Indian muslin used in the Empire period was manufactured and embroidered in India and exported to Europe and America. The finest and most sheer cottons were coveted because for these qualities.The Empire silhouette is readily identified with its origins in the chiton of ancient Greco-Romans, which was a tubular garment draped from the shoulders and sometimes belted beneath the bust. Several re-interpretations have occurred throughout costume history but none have been as notable as the period bridging the rectangular panierred skirts of the 18th century and the conical hoop skirts of the 19th century. The neoclassic style was adopted in all forms of decoration after the French Revolution and was upheld during the Napoleonic Wars partly due to Napoleon Bonaparte's (1769-1821) alliance with Greco-Roman principles. In fashion, the style began as children's wear made from fine white cotton, but was adopted by women in the form of a tubular dr

Petticoat 1850s American. Petticoat 84999

Woman's Pelerine

Dress 1885-90 American. Dress 86848

Dress 1810-15 American The use of the bias cut in the bodice, band collar and draped sleeves gives this Empire dress an unusual surprisingly modern minimalistic sensibility. There is almost a monastic sense about it from its minimalism.The Empire silhouette is readily identified with its origins in the chiton of ancient Greco-Romans, which was a tubular garment draped from the shoulders and sometimes belted beneath the bust. Several re-interpretations have occurred throughout costume history but none have been as notable as the period bridging the rectangular panierred skirts of the 18th century and the conical hoop skirts of the 19th century. The neoclassic style was adopted in all forms of decoration after the French Revolution and was upheld during the Napoleonic Wars partly due to Napoleon Bonaparte's (1769-1821) alliance with Greco-Roman principles. In fashion, the style began as children's wear made from fine white cotton, but was adopted by women in the form of a tubular dress w

Woman's Dress

Evening dress. Culture: British. Date: ca. 1818. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Bruyère (house), jacket, dress, background and belt (attributed title), 1930. Lamé silk jersey, embroidery at the chain point. Silk jersey. Mousseline, Lamé. Palais Galliera, fashion museum of the city of Paris.

Dress 1821-22 American. Dress 98069

Dress 1805-10 Italian. Dress 107924

Chemise third quarter 18th century French. Chemise. French. third quarter 18th century. linen

Robe de chambre. unknown, author

Cretan" dress with gray silk velvet, applications of gold and silver metal wires embroidery (cashmere patterns), cord of gold metal wires; Lining in yellow silk canvas. Around 1921-1922. Galliera, fashion museum of the city of Paris. 101861-7 Haute couture, female mode, female model

Girls dress with long sleeves, of a nettle cloth () With stripes and block patterns; Decorated with pas and strip made of edge with machinal English embroidery, anonymous, c. 1907 - c. 1910 A girls dress with long sleeves, with a disguised nettle cloth () With bars and block patterns; Decorated with a strip of edge with mechanical English embroidery. Achter cutting with decorative pearl tubes and loops. Switzerland buckram. mother of pearl. cotton (textile) embroidering A girls dress with long sleeves, with a disguised nettle cloth () With bars and block patterns; Decorated with a strip of edge with mechanical English embroidery. Achter cutting with decorative pearl tubes and loops. Switzerland buckram. mother of pearl. cotton (textile) embroidering

Dress or carrier of white linen batist with embroidery, anonymous, c. 1825 Dress or carrier of white linen batist with embroidery made of flowers, branches and berries. Along the neck tunnel with ribbon. Split with two knots. V-shaped breastpiece. Short puffed sleeves. Zoom finished with two lanes with horizontal folds, between which strip is embroidered tulle. Entirely at the bottom of a narrow edge of lace. Netherlands linen (material). batiste. embroidering Dress or carrier of white linen batist with embroidery made of flowers, branches and berries. Along the neck tunnel with ribbon. Split with two knots. V-shaped breastpiece. Short puffed sleeves. Zoom finished with two lanes with horizontal folds, between which strip is embroidered tulle. Entirely at the bottom of a narrow edge of lace. Netherlands linen (material). batiste. embroidering

Petticoat. Culture: American. Date: ca. 1895. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Dressing gown ca. 1825 British The dressing gown featured here is an extraordinary piece of hand work. The use of many different lively roller print patterns gives it an eye popping appeal and makes this piece a sampler of the various patterning from this period. Roller printing was introduced and then patented in 1783 in an attempt to reduce the cost of copperplate printing as well as to ease the printing process of small, repeat patterns.. Dressing gown. British. ca. 1825. cotton

Dressing Gown. Culture: American. Date: ca. 1855. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Sleeveless children's apron of white cotton with a wide center of English embroidery; Folded for the bottom and covered with English embroidery along the neck and arm holes., Anonymous cotton (textile) embroidering cotton (textile) embroidering

Ensemble. Culture: French. Designer: Paul Poiret (French, Paris 1879-1944 Paris). Date: ca. 1922. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Chemise 1840-59 American. Chemise. American. 1840-59. linen

Robe ca. 1805 American. Robe 103695

Chemise ca. 1822 American. Chemise 159504

Jacket; early XIXW. (1915-00-00-1920-00-00);

Tea Gown with a Pleated Skirt. The dropped waist of this tea gown (worn at afternoon tea) is in keeping with fashion of the 1920s. The gown is edged with broad bands of machine-made lace and has a lower hemline - a train - at the back, giving it the appearance of an evening gown. It was purchased at Watrigant-Thévenet, an exclusive lingerie store in Brussels.

Banyan ca. 1730 French An overall interest in all things Eastern influenced textile designs and clothing styles of the eighteenth century. The banyan, a popular men's leisure garment, was inspired by East Indian styles of clothing. Although worn only at home, many banyans were nevertheless made from luxurious patterned silks.. Banyan. French. ca. 1730. silk

Smoking jacket ca. 1837 European. Smoking jacket 90804

Morning dress. Culture: American or European. Date: early 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Mourning cape 1895-1900 Abraham & Straus Victorian mourning traditions were complex and circumscribed. Full mourning, with its proscribed all-black clothing, lasted a year and a day, while second mourning, which followed, lasted six to nine months and allowed for some use of trim and small jewelry. Half-mourning lasted three to six months and allowed for more elaborate fabrics and jewelry. This cape is an example of a half-mourning evening garment. It was purchased at Abraham & Straus by Brooklyn resident Florence Madden Adriance (1878-1915), who was the grandmother of the donors.Founded in 1865 as Wechsler & Abraham by Abraham Abraham (1843-1911) and Joseph Wechsler (ca. 1837-n.d.), Abraham & Straus became the largest department in store in Brooklyn during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.. Mourning cape. American. 1895-1900. silk

Afternoon Coat. Dated: c. 1938. Dimensions: overall: 32.3 x 23.6 cm (12 11/16 x 9 5/16 in.). Medium: watercolor and graphite on paper. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: Joseph L. Boyd.

Evening cape. Culture: British. Design House: Redfern (1847-1940). Date: 1901. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Girls dress with short sleeves, front closure with buttons and very low waist of white cotton, decorated with getting up, English embroidery and lace, anonymous, c. 1880 A girl dress of fine batist, decorated with meander edges in English embroidery. Victorian. Worn by Nine Bosch Reitz (1867-1951); Later Mrs. H. M. A. F. Six van Hillegom-Bosch Reitz. Amsterdam cotton (textile). embroidering A girl dress of fine batist, decorated with meander edges in English embroidery. Victorian. Worn by Nine Bosch Reitz (1867-1951); Later Mrs. H. M. A. F. Six van Hillegom-Bosch Reitz. Amsterdam cotton (textile). embroidering

Dress 1860-69 American. Dress. American. 1860-69. cotton

Dressing gown first quarter 19th century British. Dressing gown 91891

Dress ca. 1858 American. Dress 103048

French habit, vest, panties. Chanting taffeta, chain stitch, light and dark blue silk son, embroidered decor available, wooden buttons covered with fabric. 1750-1765. Galliera, fashion museum of the city of Paris. 56391-3 Embroidery, panties, Decor embroidery, back, vest, French habit, man, male fashion, pekin raye, silk, taffeta

Ucetek Entari and Shalvar late 19th century. Ucetek Entari and Shalvar. late 19th century. Silk, cotton, metal wrapped thread; brocaded. Made in Turkey. Main dress-Womenswear

Afternoon dress ca. 1845 British. Afternoon dress 108102

Habit a la Française; the eighties of the 18th century (1781-00-00-1790-00-00);Fraki, men's fashion, flower ornaments, clothing, men's clothing

Sleeveless Jacket (), from a three-piece set, 37 1/2 x 14 in. (95.25 x 35.56 cm) (width at waist), Cotton, China

Housecoat, anonymous, c. 1740 - c. 1760 Chamber skirt made of yellow cotton with colored flowers. Standing collar, sloping oversclag, ranking edge not sewn up but immediately won the substance. The cotton red lining with white windows was woven under the name Chelas both in the surroundings of Suratte and in Bengal. Northwest India cotton (textile). chintz. chintz Chamber skirt made of yellow cotton with colored flowers. Standing collar, sloping oversclag, ranking edge not sewn up but immediately won the substance. The cotton red lining with white windows was woven under the name Chelas both in the surroundings of Suratte and in Bengal. Northwest India cotton (textile). chintz. chintz

Coat 18th-19th century. Coat 85498

Evening coat. Culture: French. Designer: Revillon Frères (French, founded 1723). Date: ca. 1930.Revillon was one of the finest furriers in the world. This pristine example of the company's work is executed in ermine, a rare and precious fur. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Coat 1874 probably American. Coat 107740

Dressing gown 1870s American. Dressing gown 107877

Afternoon dress 1897-98 American or European. Afternoon dress 107202

Alb. Culture: Italian. Dimensions: Length at CB: 60 in. (152.4 cm). Date: late 17th century.The alb is the most ancient of liturgical vestments. This well-preserved example contains complex and beautiful details, which include pleating and various lace elements. The alb was worn under other garments, including the dalmatic and chasuble; only the interlaced bands at the hem would have been visible. The use of white linen is symbolic; it is meant to signify innocence and purity. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Dress 19th century Greek (Attic). Dress 85867

Underskirt 1879 American or European. Underskirt 104486

Cotton Piqué cardigan, with an embroidered edge of large colored flowers of wool (crewwork), Anonymous, 1700 - 1750 Cotton piqué cardigan, with an embroidered edge of large colored flowers of wool (Crewwerk). No collar, buttons up to the height of the bag. Coarse linen split back with tire closure. Lining. (Undercoat) England (possibly) Cotton (Textile). pique Cotton piqué cardigan, with an embroidered edge of large colored flowers of wool (Crewwerk). No collar, buttons up to the height of the bag. Coarse linen split back with tire closure. Lining. (Undercoat) England (possibly) Cotton (Textile). pique

Afternoon dress. Culture: American. Date: 1886-88. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Dress fourth quarter 19th century Greek. Dress 155922

Cape with small dots and rosettes, anonymous, c. 1900 Cape, sortie, black velvet, with embroidered white studs and two rows of rosettes. Under the raised collar, a collar is embroidered in tambourage work with ecrukligious yarn. On the board, ostriches are sewn, from behind a bow, two bows from the front with long slips of black satin ribbon are applied. The lining is made of red satin damask. Netherlands silk. velvet (fabric weave). satin Cape, sortie, black velvet, with embroidered white studs and two rows of rosettes. Under the raised collar, a collar is embroidered in tambourage work with ecrukligious yarn. On the board, ostriches are sewn, from behind a bow, two bows from the front with long slips of black satin ribbon are applied. The lining is made of red satin damask. Netherlands silk. velvet (fabric weave). satin

Dress 1825-30 French. Dress 103017

of 3