1810s dress

Evening dress, 1810′s From the DAR Museum

After archaeologists began excavating the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the mid-eighteenth century, the Western world became obsessed with classical architecture and design. Fashions inspired by ancient forms were described as à l’antique, a style characterized by high waistlines, tubular silhouettes reminiscent of columns, and lightweight fabrics that mimicked the drapery seen in ancient statues. Silver metallic embellishments decorate this dress, especially at the hem…