Featured Pretty lady in pretty clothes

Wondering what this gals dress might tell us about her? I found it contrasted with the way most women are dressed in this periods (likely 1850s/1860s) photos. At least the ones I’ve seen. It looked unique to me and made me curious to know more.

 

unusual...... looking ethnic with the collar cuffs and armbands.. even a bit tribal !!!

 

Yes thats what I thought and why I asked. It was in an auction lot about to end. I was going to bid but forgot and someone else got it. Oh well. I’m still interested to know though.

 

Pretty typical of the 1860s. The severe hairdo with middle part. The pagoda sleeve. The crossed-arm pose. The full skirt. The dress' ornamentation is certainly OTT though. Calico print with plaid trim which was very popular in the mid-Victorian period. She looks extremely proud of it -- must have been expensive -- despite the fact that it's too wide for the purpose it's been put to. (See how poorly it sits around the neck and sleeves.)

Debora

 

That was my first impression as well, but I have found a few other examples of similar style, dated to the 1860s -

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/259731103480496477/

The style of the bodice is described as a "trompe l’oeil bolero jacket".

https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1866-silk-dress-with-bolero/

 

How interesting, thanks for that, I'd not heard of it!

 

This is rather close in design (although much more sophisticated.)

https://janeausteninvermont.blog/20...-at-uvms-fleming-museum-the-impossible-ideal/

Debora

 

I can't say why-but I got kind of a Metis vibe off the photo.Poss bone structure-who knows.Very striking young lady though.

 

I was thinking something like that too. Fun to see "what people looked like" back when.

 

Interesting discussion about her clothing. Thanks for posting this, @J Dagger . Don't know how they referred to it in the auction, but it's probably an ambrotype, although possibly a tintype. The ones with a light background from that period seem to mostly be ambrotypes, though.

 

The seller wasn’t quite sure what they were talking about. I too believe it’s ambrotype though. Glad I wasn’t the only one to benefit!

 

It's queer how little folks actually study their items.I can't imagine not spending 5 or 10 minutes checking values...'Ah,a set of vice grips for a fiver-beats the Home depot price !'
New stuffs fun to get cheap too.My lass found a huge new serrated bread knife for $6-$200 online,leaves more purse for the oldies.