Afternoon dress
Medium: Blue shot silk
Date: c. 1849
Country: USA (possibly)
Credit: Museum purchase
Fashion became more demure in the 1840s, in accordance with the ideology of "the angel in the house." Even rich shot silks that combined brilliantly colored threads appeared muted in color - and therefore "distinguished" and "modest," with mere flashes of glamorous mutability.
Object Number: P86.37.1
