Printed Women's Dress with Mutton Sleeves

This is a one piece floor length dress. The bodice, with its flat bateau neckline, has a slightly elevated waist and the neckline closes in the back by virtue of an encased ribbon. The striped decoration is processed in a V-shape and triple piping trim heightens the horizontal effect. The wide skirt begins at the straight waistband and is laid in fine, regular folds. The oversized mutton sleeves run together narrowly from the elbow and fasten at the forearm with hook and eyes. On the shoulder they are lined up in small thick pleats. The top portion has an incorporated bodice that fastens in the back with four small, concealed buttons and a ribbon tie at the neckline. Large mutton sleeves reached the height of their popularity around 1830. The striped pattern alternately displays a small sampling of flowers with jagged contours and an ornamentally patterned border.