Looks like sunshine

Afternoon dress, c 1892.

House of Worth

Worth designed in an era when a multitude of rules governed dress, and small details told a great deal about a woman’s social standing. During the 19th century, ladies wore certain garments only when receiving guests, making calls, and attending a wide variety of functions, including teas, dinners, balls, and the opera. This handsome two-piece ensemble, designed by the House of Worth in the early 1890s, would have been worn during the spring or summer, in the afternoon to a party or when visiting socially. One can imagine how the brilliant yellow would have shimmered as its wearer moved in bright sunlight.

A lovely ensemble for carriage riding...

Ensemble

House of Worth, 1894

This extraordinary costume would have been worn while riding in one’s carriage, which at the time was a social event. It is likely the muff and mantle were bought from the House of Worth but due to the difference in stitching and trimming on the dress, the likelihood is that the client bought extra textile lengths and had the dress made in the United States after returning home.

Zenobia

The House of Worth fashioned a gown for Louise, Duchess of Devonshire, to be worn at Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Ball, held at Chatsworth in 1897. The gown was made to transform the Duchess into Zenobia, the warrior queen of Palmyra. A concoction of cloth of silver, cloth of gold, brilliants, gemstones, and embroidered with more metalwork, the dress has a peacock feather fan motif at the hem and a train of turquoise velvet embroidered with gold.