booty beauty? (or antique junk in the trunk)

day dress, 1884-1886 

The Met

The Urban Dictionary defines “booty” as you might expect, but the concept is anything but new.

afternoon with shaw, 1885-1888 

The Met

Way back in 1886 as our ClockTower was being built, women were already admired for their “bustle”, the artificial booty of its day.

evening dress, 1884 

The Met

Elaborate frameworks in cotton muslin and steel hoop were designed to flatter the silhouette and move in fluid concert under yards of sumptuous fabric.

1885 The Met

1884 The Victoria and Albert

Even winter coats were vented to give way to artificial curve.

1885 The Victoria and Albert

A fashionable new year was all but assured...

1889 The Met

when unwrapped gifts looked like this!

1885 corset, The Victoria and Albert

And you thought Victoria owned that color. ;-)

evening shoes, 1885

 The Met