19th Century American Dress: Behind the Scenes at The Costume Institute Conservation Laboratory Lily Absinthe Afternoon dress 185055 American The female silhouette of the middle of the 19th century consisted of a fitted corseted bodice and wide full skirts. The conical skirts developed between the 1830s, when Costumes for the 19th century witness2fashion Women's Born Famous Off the Shoulder Velvet Holiday Dress Afternoon dress American The Metropolitan Museum of Art Everyday Dress Special Edition Baleint Costumes & More