Day Dress

anonymous

c. 1868 - c. 1872

silk

Rijksmuseum

A brown silk dress with black lace trim and decorative buttons is displayed on a mannequin against a plain gray background. The dress features a high neckline, long bell sleeves, and a full skirt. The fabric of this dress is moiré antique, which features large, irregular, undulating lines. This effect is achieved by folding ribbed fabric a particular way and subjecting it to heat and pressure to give it a watered appearance. The distorted ribs reflect light in different directions. The colours of the dress, black and brown, were all the rage in 1869.