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For my 1830s fashion paper doll, I have drawn a ball gown. It seemed totally appropriate to share on New Years Eve, a night for a ball if ever there was one. Ball gowns in the 1830s were the epitome of elegance and sophistication. These gowns were typically worn for high-society events. Often the most luxurious and intricate dress a woman could own, the ball gown was a symbol of both personal and social prestige.
A voluminous skirt characterized the silhouette of a ball gown during the 1830s. The cage crinoline doesn’t show up until the 1850s. So, in this era women are using horsehair reinforced petticoats to help keep the skirts wide. These skirts must have been very heavy. The neckline was cut off the shoulders to expose the upper chest, a daring departure from the more modest necklines typical of daytime fashion during the period. These low necklines and puffy sleeves made the shoulders look wider, creating the illusion of a smaller waist.
Never doubt, fashions of the 1830s wanted to make the waist look as small as possible.
This 1834 ball gown is based on a fashion plate from Petite Courier des Dames, a French fashion magazine. Founded in Paris after the Napoleonic Wars, dress for women filled its pages. Published about every 5 days, one or two high-quality fashion plates in each issue illustrated specific outfits and accessories. Listing the names of dressmakers and stores added an advertising element to the designs. This was a big part of the magazine’s appeal. The magazine had London offices as well, so it influenced English fashion too.
The plates in Petite Courier des Dames are really beautiful and usually show the back of the gown on the seated figure, as well as showing a different color scheme for the dresses. So, in this case the primary color scheme is blue and white, but there is a yellow and dusty purple color scheme also illustrated.
In addition to the revealing necklines, lavish embellishments decorated 1830s ball gowns. The one thing I loved from this illustration was the bows, because they felt so very “more is more” which is what is making this 1830s fashion paper doll project so much fun.
Can you please do a page with accessories? I’d like to have some different shoes for the doll and I’d love to have the gloves with the ball gown.
That’s a great idea that absolutely did not occur to me. Let me see what I can do.
I cannot even handle how much I love this series! It’s really lovely and I look forward to each page 🙂