Fashion During the Civil War

               The clothing worn during the American-Civil War, were specialized dresses for every occasion: gowns, ball dresses, etc. There's the hoop skirt which are called southern belles. The Hoop extended out further in the back then the front. According to magazine articles from the era, a lady should choose colors based on harmony, simplicity and influenced by nature. The Civil War clothing worn are Victorian styles. The lower classes wore fabrics that didn't include hoop skirts they wore cheap cages. It was a struggle at times to get different fabrics. 

              In the story I Am Madame X it is similar to all that was said before. On page 138, Virginie was brought to where Pierre had grown up and where his widowed mother still lived. "she was wearing a shapeless black gown with a traditional breton collar of pleated white muslin. On page 142, Virginie was imagining her self walking down the aisle in a white silk dress floating down the steps. In the morning Mademoiselle Avengo wore a yellow silk gown but Madame Gautreau leaned over and said the dress was too "décolleté" for the morning. On page 147, Virginie was getting ready to go to her party. She wore her camisole, corset, chemise, stockings, and petticoats. Later on Virginie changed into a traveling outfit.                  

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