Ball gowns of the 1860s

A Ball gown is the most formal female attire for social occasions. According to rules of etiquette, a ball gown must be worn where "white tie" or "evening dress" is specified on the invitation. It is traditionally a full-skirted gown reaching at least to the ankles, made of luxurious fabric, delicately and exotically trimmed. Most versions are cut off the shoulder with decollete necklines. Such gowns are typically worn with a stole (a formal shawl in expensive fabric), cape or cloak in lieu of a coat, "good" (couture or vintage) jewellery and opera-length gloves. Standard accessories are dancing shoes and a clutch style evening bag. Where "state decorations" are to be worn, they are on a bow pinned to the chest, and married women wear a tiara if they have one. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (838x752, 253 KB) Summary Ball gowns of the early 1860s (somewhat extreme examples of the crinoline hoop-skirt style), drawn by Pauqet for Petit Courrier des Dames. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (838x752, 253 KB) Summary Ball gowns of the early 1860s (somewhat extreme examples of the crinoline hoop-skirt style), drawn by Pauqet for Petit Courrier des Dames. ... Etiquette, also known as decorum, is the code that governs the expectations of social behavior, the conventional norm. ... Queen Elizabeth II with Commonwealth Prime Ministers, in the 1950s. ... Wedding - Bridesmaid in long gown A gown or evening gown is a womans evening wear, corresponding to mens formal wear for white tie and black tie events. ... Grays Fig. ... Cleavage is the partial exposure of a womans breasts, and/or the vertical line created by them, particularly when exposed by low-cut clothing. ... Wedding - Bridesmaid in long gown A gown or evening gown is a womans evening wear, corresponding to mens formal wear for white tie and black tie events. ... A stole is a ladys shawl, especially a formal shawl of expensive fabric used over a ballgown. ... A mysterious man in a cape, in Seinfeld, in episode 6-4. ... A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat – it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. ... Double-breasted coat, 1876 For other meanings than clothing, see Coat (Disambiguation) A coat (a term frequently interchangeable with jacket) is an outer garment worn by both men and women, for warmth or fashion. ... // Long satin gloves Leather gloves A glove (Middle English from Old English glof) is a type of garment which covers the hand of a human. ... State decorations are orders, medals and other decorations granted by a state. ... Beauty pageant tiara A tiara (from Persian تاره tara borrowed by Latin as tiara) is a form of crown. ...

The ball-gown shape has changed little since the mid-19th century. Although man-made fabrics are now sometimes used, the most common fabrics are satin, silk, taffeta and velvet with trimmings of lace, pearls, sequins, embroidery, ruffles and ruching. Look up Satin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. ... Taffeta (sometimes spelled taffety) is a crisp, smooth woven fabric made from silk or synthetic fibers. ... Velvet is a type of tufted fabric in which the cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it its distinct feel. ... Lace appliqué and bow at the bust-line of a nightgown. ... Strand of akoya pearls from China Pearl farm, Seram, Indonesia A pearl is a hard, rounded object produced by certain animals, primarily mollusks such as oysters. ... Sequins on a hip-cloth Sequins are disk shaped beads used for decorative purposes. ... Gold Embroidery Cross-stitch embroidery, Hungary, mid-20th century Phulkari from Punjab region, India 15th century embroidered cope, Ghent, Belgium Elizabethan embroidery styles include blackwork on linen and dense patterns worked in colored silk and metallic threads on velvet or other rich fabrics Embroidery is the art or handicraft of... Portrait of a woman wearing a heavily ruffled cap, 1789 . In sewing and dressmaking, a ruffle or frill is a strip of fabric, lace or ribbon tightly gathered or pleated on one edge and applied to a garment, bedding, curtain or other textile as a form of trimming. ...

The elements of ladies' white tie attire

• ball gown - ballerina (to the ankle) or full-length (to the floor)
• dancing shoes - formal pumps, sandals or ballet slippers
• jewellery - earrings and necklace; rings and bracelets are optional. A watch is not considered de rigueur except for jewelled versions in which the face is covered so that it resembles a bracelet.
• gloves - if worn, should be opera length
• stole, cape or cloak, or an opera coat
• handbag - clutch style or small evening bag

Optional: A shoe is an item of footwear often worn on the foot or feet of a human. ... Red high-heel pump with a sabrina heel. ... Amber jewelry in the form of pendants. ... Pairs of earrings for sale at a roadside stand in Costa Rica An earring is an ornament that is worn in the ear. ... A necklace is an article of clothing or jewelry; which is worn around the neck. ... A finger ring is a metal band worn as an ornament around a finger; it is the most common current meaning of the word ring. ... A bracelet is an article of jewelry which is worn around the wrist. ... For the Unix command, see watch (Unix). ... Look up de rigueur in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... // Long satin gloves Leather gloves A glove (Middle English from Old English glof) is a type of garment which covers the hand of a human. ... An Opera Glove is a type of formal glove that reaches beyond the elbow. ... The stole (a liturgical vestment of various Christian denominations) is an embroidered band of cloth, formerly usually of silk, about two and one-half to three metres long and seven to ten centimetres wide, whose ends are usually broadened out. ... A mysterious man in a cape, in Seinfeld, in episode 6-4. ... A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat – it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. ... An opera coat is an ankle- or floor-length womens loose-fitting coat of luxurious fabric such as velvet, brocade or satin, to be worn over an evening gown. ... This article is about the terms most basic meaning; a purse is also a race track term. ...

• state decorations - if specified on invitation; worn on a bow pinned to the chest
• tiara - if "state decoration" is specified; worn by married women only

State decorations are orders, medals and other decorations granted by a state. ... Beauty pageant tiara A tiara (from Persian تاره tara borrowed by Latin as tiara) is a form of crown. ...

See also

• ball (dance)
• Ballerina skirt
• cocktail dress
• Crinoline
• gown