|
Edwardian walking dress, 1904, from Helen
of the Edwardian Age |
 |
Edwardian
The Edwardian (1901-1910) feminine ideal was a generous in the bosom
and hips with a tiny waist. The figure was corseted into an "S"
shape that threw the bust forward. Fashions of the period favored
delicate fabrics and elaborate trimmings. Needlewomen of the period
created magnificent lace and embroidered garments. Virtually all women
of the time wore their hair long and swept up into loose buns near
the top of the head. Hats tended to be very wide and sumptuously trimmed |
| Elizabethan
court gown, c. 1600 from Shakespeare's
Ladies |
 |
Elizabethan
Noble women of the Elizabethan period (1558-1603) were tighly corseted
into elaborate gowns with low, pointed waists and very full skits
worn over the wheel-like farthingale. Stiffened and wired lace collars
like the one shown were common as where the jewel ornamented sleeves.
|
| Very
fine, nearly sheer muslin dress over an opaque slip, c. 1810, from
Regency Cousins |
 |
Empire
The period of Empire fashion covers Napoleon's First Empire in France
(1804-1814) and the few years before. The period is notable for
a relatively abrupt break with previous fashion. After only a decade
or so of transition, the tight corseting, extreme skirts and luxurious
fabrics of the previous age gave way to very little corseting, a
straight silhouette with a high waistline and simple, very often
white, fabrics.
|
| Bustled
day dress of embroidered cambric, c. 1885, from Augusta
of the Gilded Age |
 |
En
Tablier
The term refers to any apron-like effect. It was widely used in
the 1880s to describe a horizontally draped upper part of the skirt
at sweeps back into a bustle.
|
| Elaborately
decorated corset cover, c. 1905, from Nancy
of the Edwardian Age |
 |
Entre-Deux
Literally the term means "between two." It refers to the
ribbon beading and/or lace stitched between to other fabrics to join
them. Here the entre-deux is ribbon beading connecting a bit of embroidered
lace to the body of a corset cover. |
| Doublet
with epaulets, c. 1600, from Shakespeare's
Ladies |
 |
Epaulets,
Epaulettes
The epaulet has a military origin and is often used to give clothes
a military fair. Always used in pairs - one for each shoulder - epaulets
are decorative bits of fabric or braid that extend over the shoulder
and make it appear somewhat wider. |
| Ermine
evening wrap, c. 1865, from Kitty
of the Civil War Years |
 |
Ermine
Ermine is the name of the winter pelt of a weasel-like animal. The
fur is white with black or brown spots or splotches. Occasionally
reserved only for royalty, it has always been a luxury fur. |
| Eton
jacket over an embroidered vest, 1906, from Helen
of the Edwardian Age |
 |
Eton
Jacket
The name of this short jacket refers to the boys' school in England
that adopted a short jacket as part of its uniform. |
