Silk Taffeta, Cotton Lace, Nylon Tape (Photos by Joshua Purvis)
Worn over a corded petticoat and a lace edged petticoat, both of muslin. Inspired by a pattern in Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion 1 of a dinner dress held in the collections of the Northampton Museum, UK
An illustration by Janet Arnold for her book Patterns of Fashion 2.
During the 1830s skirts began to expand in volume and needed support. Multiple stiffly starched petticoats could be worn as could a corded petticoat, as shown above.
The stays of the period lowered and separated the bust by means of a stiff busk. It was still a supportive garment.
Sleeves of the period ballooned to huge proportions and also needed support. These supports took the form of pillows or small cages that tied to the straps of the stays.
The pelerine collar was a highly fashionable accessory of the 1830s. They could match the dress fabric, or be made of various light cottons and laces. Their width emphasized the sloped shoulder and the fashionably huge sleeves.
