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| Ball Gown Silk Satin and Silk Net with Spangles and Bobbin Lace c. 1820, Britain This and all related images from: The Victoria & Albert Museum |
This attractive and alarmingly small ball gown dates to 1820
and was made by an now unknown British sewer.
Most women of a certain class had at least one special ball gown. They saved their most elaborate dresses for
special occasions such as balls. In the
1820s, these lavish gowns were embellished with gold thread or sparkling beads
which glittered in the dim candlelight of the ballroom. At this time, thin, gauzy materials were in
fashion since they created a soft dreamy look, which was very feminine and
ethereal. On a more practical note, these
light materials also kept the wearer from getting too hot while dancing in these,
no doubt, stuffy, overcrowded spaces.
After all, no one likes a sweaty lady at a ball.
This short-sleeved
ball gown is comprised of an under-dress of silk satin and an overdress of
machine-made silk net which has been embroidered with metal and trimmed with
blonde bobbin lace. As was the style of
the time (something I seem to be typing a lot today), the dress has a low oval
neckline, puffed short sleeves, a wedge shaped front bodice panel and a medium
high waist. The lining of the gown is padded at the hem with a frill of blond stitching.
It fastens with a tape at the neck and hooks at the reverse.
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