I’m currently working on a black velvet 1860s balgown. It’s going to be dramatic, and a bit gothic, but should also be fabulous. Since starting to work on this dress, I’ve been looking at a lot of images, and I’d like to share.
The main inspiration will be this dress at the met:
Out of 1860s dresses, this is the type I particularly love. A square neckline, a waistband, dramatic fabric and a lot of lace.
It still has a pretty round crinoline, but it is starting to shift more to the back, just beginning to shift into the bustle-style of the 1870s. It also has a large train, which though awsome, I’ll probably leave out for practical reasons.
Here are some photographs period showing other mourning dresses:
I especially love the veils in the second photo. Although these photos are very serious, black was actually used in ball-gowns, which are generally happy occasions.
I guess that this is good for me, as it means that black was worn for all kinds of occasion.
To wrap up the post, some more black headwear pieces.
Atelier Nostalgia 