PRESENTED BY BEV
In "1760 PRE-REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD", Ladies favored gowns with pointed bodices, front and back, and long full skirts with sweeping trains.
On April 30th, 1789, George Washing was inaugurated President of the United States. "1777-REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD", this dress, such as Martha Washington might have worn closely followed the prevailing French fasions, including wearing powedered hair.
1803 LOUISIANA PURCHASE" Thomas Jefferson was President and James Monroe transacted the purchase of Louisiana (1803). This stretched from New Orleans to the Rockies. Gowns of the period were elaborately embroidered, hoops were discarded, bodices were short and the waistline obscured, long trains were fashionable.
James Monroe was elected President in 1812, the second war with England began that year. The "1816 MONROE DOCTRINE" reserved America for the Americans. Dresses were shorter and skirts were narrower with emphasis on the sleeves.
"1840 COVERED WAGON DAYS" Texas was annexed in 1845, the Mormons settled Utah in 1847 and gold was discovered in California in 1848. Gowns featuring a profusion of lace were favored by the Southern Belles. Slender waists were admired, bodices made deeper points and the gathers of the skirt were mostly in front and back to show the waist.
1841 PRE-CIVIL WAR PERIOD". Gowns of this period were picturesque, off shoulder drape. Lace shawls were fashionable as were flowers in the hair.
"1864 CIVIL WAR PERIOD" This dress, with the ruffles and flounces shows the Southern influence in styling. It is a gown such as Scarlett O'Hara might have worn.
1868 POST WAR PERIOD" The emphasis of the dress of this period is in the back and it becomes a bit more tailored. Checks and plaids were introduced, hoop skirts were back and buttons were in vogue.
"1872 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT" The government had granted millions of acres of land for railroads. Manufacturing establishments increased, the development of mineral wealth, lumbering, cotton manufacturing, etc. The ladies of this period accepted the draped bustle with a basque front and a tiered skirt trimed with velvet ribbons, artifical flowers and lace.
By 1873, the gap between the end of the Civil War and Modern America had been bridged. "1873 INDUSTRIAL SOUTH" Dress was emphasized both in front draping and back sweep of the jacket and train, as well as the lavish use of fur.
"1888 SETTLING THE WEST" Railroads were expanding, the west was developing. By 1890 all the free land was gone and immigrants began to populate our cities, For formal wear, ladies chose elaboratedly draped and decollette' gowns with elaborately shirred bodice and long train. Sadly, this outfit is missing the shirred overblouse.
"1896 UNITY OF NATION ESTABLISHED" nearing the end of the century, the unity of the nation was established, the telephone and telegraph had been invented, short railroads had been consolidated into systems, the nation had become a competitor of Europe in the markets of the world, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Philippines were annexed. Dresses at this time featured leg-of-mutton sleeves, short jackets with peplum and extensive use of lace and braid.
To tipify the growth of the movement for "1908 WOMENS SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT", this doll wears a tight skirt with a mere whisp of a petticoat. The jacket has a tailored yet feminine touch in its cut and trimming.
"1938 MODERN MISS AMERICA" This dress shows modern fashions were influenced by period styles. The corselet effect is brought back, off the shoulder drape appears again, and the fullness of the skirt gives an air of femininity so prevalent in the 18th century.
And finally, the doll entitled simply "1939 TODAY'. She is wearing a doll sized version of Chanel's Gypsy dress. It has the influence of the Carmen period of Spain. The Gypsy skirts were long and full and the blouses had full sleeves. (this doll should be wearing a full lavendar skirt with a olive green wide sash. All she had when I got her was her slip and blouse and I have not found the slightly ribbed purple toned fabric to make her a replacement)
