Modes Feminines

These illustrations come from a book published in 1902 containing one hundred watercolors; one for every year from 1801-1900. Each depicts a typical costume of what women in that year would be wearing. In totality the book reveals the gradual shift in styles through the years. It is a fascinating progression to view (and is entirely online at NYPL) and makes me wonder how one would attempt to capture the fashions of the past century...

pictured here 1819-1831, all via NYPL