lookingbackatfashionhistory:

• Afternoon Ensemble.

Date: 1880

Medium: Black silk faille and lace. A) Bodice. Fitted; ¾ length sleeves are split to show ice blue faille insets covered in black lace and are piped and scalloped with black embroidery and braid medallions. The lace on the sleeve insets extends from the elbow to the wrist with gathers in the lace at the back of the wrist. High standing collars with the front of the collar covered in matching blue faille covered in black lace; collar has hook & eye closure. Center front opening of 16 self-covered buttons and barred buttonholes.