Fashions for November 1856

November 1856 fashions

Loretta reports:

For this month’s fashion plate, we return to Godey’s, this time pre- U.S. Civil War—although one of the fashion terms is connected to a style of dress from about the time of the English Civil War. I glossed a few terms that might not be familiar to everybody (including me).


The September "chat" referred to in the description is starts here (in the lower right hand corner of the page).

November 1856 fashions described

Basquine: Example on eBay

Galloon:“Narrow tape or binding of cotton, wool or silk, showing usually fancy weave; used for trimming dresses, uniforms, also for lacing.”
Passementerie: “Braid, fringes, etc., used for trimming”
—Louis Harmuth, Dictionary of textiles (1915)

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