I've been showing pictures of these fabrics from the 1840s and '50s lately.
Large stripes and plaids in Prussian blue, buff and madder reds and brown.
It's hard to believe that these large-scale prints, which layered geometry with florals, were fashionable for women's clothing but during the 1840s, '50s and into the early 1860's they were the thing.
Bold pattern!
Pagoda sleeves and huge neck bows
were part of the fashion.
As were some unfortunate hairdo's.
I have been saving pictures of this era and have found
some dresses that are nothing but outrageous.
No stripe too big.
No bow too big.
1859
