Grace Allison McCurdy and Her Daughters, Mary Jane and Letitia Grace, ca. 1804 by Joshua Johnson
Wordless Wednesday– Joshua Johnson
Grace Allison McCurdy and Her Daughters, Mary Jane and Letitia Grace, ca. 1804 by Joshua Johnson
Rose Fairbanks 
I am always wondering why the women bared their upper chest even in cooler weather – brrrrrrrrrrrrr! And to do that to children?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, must be fashionable, like those of us who wore mini skirts back in the day and about froze at the bus stop.
LikeLike
Youth didn’t really have their own fashion until later in the 20th century. But I do think some artistic license is taken because they DID usually cover the chest except for formal times, which were usually evening and events out of the house. So children weren’t going to them. My guess is either the artist took some liberty there or the family specifically got the gowns for the portrait. Certainly a status symbol too.
As for the women, she is wearing a very thin tucker. But in reality, they did wear different layers and vary materials by season. There are fewer portraits showing it or surviving items, but there are many fashion plates depicting the ensembles.
LikeLike
At least with mini-skirts you could wear tights to keep your legs warm or boots in winter.
LikeLike
I live in a college town that gets snow. The girls wear mini skirts and often revealing tops, no tights, and fuzzy boots. But given how much they shiver, I think they’re still cold! Not sure the boots help enough!
LikeLike