Promenade dress 1882

This extravagant Promenade Dress was likely made by a dressmaker such as Mme. Blanchard. Its floral pattern and ruffled skirt of lightweight material may seem like pure aesthetic delight, yet its production involved extensive labor. The textile would have been woven, printed, and dyed; the dress carefully tailored and assembled, probably by several skilled hands. Note the lace trim. Imagine the hours of work to create and apply that! Such complicated garments reflected the industrial systems of the 19th century, even as they appear handmade. They are also indicative of social class, where luxurious and elaborate dress signified status. So next time you see a historical dress like this, think about the lives, labor, and materials stitched into its very fabric. It’s a reminder that fashion, like all forms of making, is deeply connected to the world around us.