Evening ensemble 1879 - 1889

This evening ensemble, crafted by Agnes Monaghan, invites us to consider the strictures of late 19th-century femininity. The dress, with its velvet and lace, speaks to the era's emphasis on elegance and refinement, yet the tight corset would have also imposed a rigid physical standard, shaping a woman's body to fit societal ideals. This period saw complex negotiations of gender roles, as women navigated expectations of domesticity alongside growing calls for suffrage and greater autonomy. The garment embodies these tensions, with its opulence reflecting wealth and status, but also hinting at the constraints placed upon women of the time. How might the wearer have experienced this garment? As a symbol of privilege, a fashionable encasement, or perhaps both? Ultimately, this ensemble offers a glimpse into the lives of women navigating a rapidly changing world, inviting us to reflect on the ongoing dialogues between fashion, identity, and social change.