The late Regency and early Victorian periods saw a return to the exaggerated female form after the slimmer Empire Style of the Regency period (1800 -1825). A cape was a way for a woman of the later half of the 19th century to wear a garment that kept them warm but didn't crush or cover up the extravagant show of their dress. First hooped, then crinoline, then bustled dresses and hourglass corsetry all created an exaggerated and carefully managed silhouette that would not easily accommodate an outer garment. Shawls worked well with the symmetrical shapes of the hooped and crinoline skirts but not so well with bustles.
| Applique Cape with High Collar | Dark Brown Velvet Pelisse | Long Black Pelisse |
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The bustle had two fashion periods - the latest from 1883 - 1892 reached dramatic proportions with virtual horizontal shelves created with wire mesh frames that gave the rear of women the silhouette of a horse's hind legs! Many fashions return but not surprisingly this one has not returned since.
