07/03/2026
Fashions for July 1876 from Godey’s Lady’s Book, an American women’s magazine that was published in Philadelphia from 1830-1896. The magazine was published and edited by Louise Antoine Godey and its circulation rose from 70,000 to 150,000 during the years Sarah Josepha Hale served as editor (1837-1877).
DESCRIPTION OF STEEL FASHION PLATE
Fig 1. – House dress of elephant-colored silk and grenadine. The lower skirt is of silk, the front and sides are kilt plaited, the back plain. The scarf drapery forming overskirt is of the grenadine, trimmed with fringe, ribbon bows at the sides. Basque waist of grenadine with kilt plates in the back, silk sleeves on the upper part, grenadine under.
Fig 2. – Evening dress of pink silk. The underskirt trimmed with plaitings on the front, train plain. Polonaise of India muslin, cut low in the neck trimmed with garlands of roses and foliage and puffs and Valenciennes lace. Bertha of lace and flowers; pink ribbon sash. Hair arranged in puffs, long curls in the back, and flowers to match those flowers on dress.
Fig 3. – Afternoon dress of pale blue damask and silk. The underskirt is of the damask, the overdress and basque are of the plain, trimmed with a band of darker blue and fringe. Sleeves to match underskirt.
Fig 4. – Walking dress of pale green silk. The upper part cut as polonaise, the skirt kilted upon it under the sash : the sleeves and trimming are of black silk. Black chip bonnet, trimmed with green silk and black feather.
Fig 5. – Walking dress of purple sill and plaid grenadine. The underskirt is of the purple silk, trimmed with a knife plaiting and puff. The overskirt and basque are of the grenadine of a lighter shade, trimmed with a knife plaiting of silk; silk sleeves. Lilac chip bonnet, trimmed with silk and feathers.
