Dress 1896 - 1897

This dress, by C. L. Loveland, presents an intriguing case study in the social conventions of dressmaking and the complex relationship between fashion, class, and gender. Consider the fabric, the cut, and the ornamentation of the dress. What does it tell us about the woman who would have worn it? We can look at fashion plates, advertisements, and conduct books of the era to gain a more detailed understanding of the dress’s cultural significance. The dress embodies certain established codes of femininity and social status. The dress’s intricate lace-work and floral patterns exemplify the era’s emphasis on refined elegance. It speaks to the expectations placed on women of a certain social standing, and how clothing was used to express status. As art historians, we can delve into the archives, studying fashion magazines, personal letters, and even legal documents to reconstruct the world in which this dress would have been worn.