Cape coat probably worn by Queen Victoria

This cape coat, or dolman, is believed to have been worn by Queen Victoria (1819-1901). White was a traditional colour of mourning, and combined with the black lace, would have been suitable for the mourning clothes she wore following the death of Prince Albert (1819-1861) for the rest of her life. Photographs and other visual sources suggest she wore white capes like this one outdoors and for travelling. It would have been appropriate for warmer weather.

The dolman style of women's jacket became fashionable from the 1870s. They were often made from attractive or embellished fabric and in this one a dramatic effect is created with the contrast of the decorative black lace and frogged fastenings (braided ornamental loop fastenings) and the white silk fabric of the cape.