This young lady wears a silk gown (note the sheen) with a beautifully ruched bodice, neatly tailored yoke with piping, and a black tie at the neckline. Lace trims the cuffs. Notice this lady’s short haircut.

This is a picture of “Betsy Low” taken in 1866. Betsy’s plain day dress appears to be of a serviceable cotton with a belt at the waistline and buttons down the center front of the bodice.

Here is an older woman dressed in a light gingham gown with a fan-front bodice. She has full cloak sleeves.

An older lady in saque and bonnet, ready to visit friends.

This lady looks like she is ready to go visiting in her heavy cape and pretty bonnet!

Here is the beautiful Queen Marie-Sophia of Naples in the mid-1860s. Her cape is beautifully trimmed, and I love her simple snood.

This lady wears a plain dress, but notice the brooch at the neckline. This could be a mourning outfit (no white collar or cuffs), and the brooch could contain the hair of the deceased (a very common practice). This lady is wearing a snood.

The back of this photo reads “Mary Sherwood Mapes.” Mary is wearing a very plain and serviceable day gown, and it looks like she is wearing a flat lace cap that hangs down each side.

This woman is holding a straw bonnet and wearing a saque jacket, which was often used to disguise pregnancy. It is difficult to tell whether or not this young lady is expecting–but that was the idea!

Another portrait in an ornate chair. Note the tucked diamond-shaped center panel on this lady’s bodice. Unusual and pretty. Her sleeves have been trimmed with a flat ribbon or braid in a criss-cross pattern.