| This study was designed to present a more complete description of bustled dresses from the Gilded Age of America's history, 1870--1890. From close evaluation of the construction, needlework, embellishments, and fabric, the researcher investigated how the social trends of the era and the progression of industrial and household appliances encouraged more women from all social classes to attempt to attain and maintain fashionable dress. A secondary question was pursued regarding the actual rate in which society as a whole accepted and used technological advances to create the women's garments. Home and professional seamstresses needed time to implement, learn, and master new machines, and this research furthered knowledge as to how new sewing techniques were absorbed into the repertoire of the seamstresses. Actual garments from the period of 1870--1890 were the primary source material. |
