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Civil War Fashion

CDV - Women's Fashion in the Civil War Era

A lighter-colored Civil War era dress.
Civil War CDV

Unidentified woman, Civil War period, J. Stehman studio, Pennsylvania. About 1860-1865.

From unpublished CDV. Photographer: J. Stehman. Digital image © Jone Lewis 2001.
This CDV has trimmed corners (in the original). A lighter-colored dress than the stereotypical dark dress -- which would make it more difficult to clean, and thus probably a special-occasion dress rather than a working dress. Again, the horizontal width at the shoulders and lower dress are in contrast to the thinner waist. Her hair is drawn back, one earring and her snood are apparent especially in the detailed image. She wears a ring on her left hand, most likely signifying that she's married. Detail of woman's face, bodice and sleeve

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