#godeys

From: Godey’s Lady’s book. Philadelphia, Pa. : L.A. Godey, 1874

An engraving from Godey's Lady's Book, July 1863.

Fashion Friday – Godey’s Lady’s Book

April is nearly upon us and we are a bit tardy informing our viewers of the appropriate April fashions!  Please be advised that the April 1850 edition of Godey’s Lady’s Book offers suggestions on such dressing needs as opera costumes, morning dresses, and springtime fashions for children.  Convalescent readers are not to be left out--this edition features a full-color fashion plate with the “dress of an invalid” pictured alongside the fashions worn by your opera-going friends. Additionally, readers of Godey’s Lady’s Book this month will be treated to examples of this season’s “lighter and more graceful styles” of the chemisette, also known as a “spencer” or “underhandkerchief.”

If you don’t have time to read the entirety of the fashion plate descriptions, here are the highlights:

Please complete your opera costume with the appropriate accessories: kid gloves and a fan.  

Opera dresses may not be pure white.

Hoods in springtime should be made of a lighter material to protect your hairstyle.

Dressing gowns of printed flannel, cashmere, or chintz ARE still fashionable and no lady should be without one of these comfortable     and convenient dresses.  

“Any lady of good taste and a little ingenuity” can make a pretty dressing gown in an economical manner.  

New this season:

 Embroidered slippers are now fashionable footwear to accompany your morning dress.

Bonnets this season should be tasteful and simple!

Parasols may be fringed. (yay!)

Descending braids are out for children’s hairstyle; it is now fashionable to pin them about the head in the Grecian band style.

If you need further details or instructions, please read the “Description of Fashion Plates” page fully.

Did you enjoy these tips and fashions?  Take a look at our March post featuring Godey’s Lady’s Book fashion advice and fashion patterns...but please promise not to be caught wearing last month’s fashions!

Or view our other Fashion Friday posts.

Hand Colored Lithograph Print From "GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK". Published In New York Circa 1860

Godey's Lady's Book, alternatively known as Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book, was a United States women's magazine that was published in Philadelphia from 1830–1878. It was the most widely circulated magazine in the period before the Civil War.

The magazine was expensive for the time; subscribers paid $3 per year (for comparison, The Saturday Evening Post was only $2 per year).

Fancy wearing one of these to your summer beach picnic?

From: Godey’s Lady’s book. Philadelphia, Pa. : L.A. Godey

Bonnet styles from Godey's Lady's Book from September 1863.

Evening headdress made of ribbon, Godey's Lady's Book, October 1863.

From: Godey’s Lady’s book. Philadelphia, Pa. : L.A. Godey, 1847