Evening dress

This evening dress of the early 1820s illustrates the popular decorative techniques of the period. Piping (very thin rolls of fabric) and thicker rolls were braided and intertwined and applied to the dress, along with pieces of fabric in the shape of leaves and petals. They were all made of the same silk of the dress. Silk lace also adorns the bodice. Etiquette of the period was very strict about the different styles of dress worn during the day and evening. Day wear always had long sleeves and high necklines. A lower neckline and short sleeves were appropriate only for evening dress.