Evening bodice 1863 - 1867

This evening bodice was made by Worth and Bobergh, a design house operating in the late 19th century. It’s a garment constructed from silk and lace. Think about what the image does: it presents an ideal of feminine beauty and aristocratic social status. This kind of fashion piece would have been worn in Europe at a time of great social inequality. It speaks to rigid social hierarchies and restricted gender roles. It’s part of the story of how clothing became a symbol of power and aspiration, reflecting the historical events and economic structures that determined who had access to such finery. To more fully understand such an artwork, the historian might turn to resources such as fashion magazines or personal letters, finding out more about the atelier system and how the design house operated. In that way we can begin to grasp the meanings it held for its original wearers.