DAY 46: Evening Cloaks

When a Gilded Age woman ventured outdoors in the evening, she was usually attired in a ball gown or an evening dress meant to be seen in public. In the cooler months, she would throw over it an evening cape or coat. This could be a cloud of silk, like the Worth evening coat at left, or something more substantial in velvet and fur.

These evening wraps were much more elegant than the sort of rag you'd toss over a carriage or afternoon dress to visit Parliament. They were embroidered, sequined, tasseled, and beaded. They were magnificent peacock garments glimpsed only as a lady stepped into and out of a carriage--unless one was fortunate enough to be traveling with her.

All those I'm throwing down here were designed and executed by the House of Worth, some by Charles Frederick and others by his son Jean Philippe. 

Silk-metallic embroidered velvet for winter; silk charmeuse and lace for spring. 




And then there's this swoon-worthy embroidered cloak below, called Tulipes Hollandaises--Holland Tulips.

For more images from THAT CHURCHILL WOMAN, visit the  Pinterest board behind the novel.