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This two piece ensemble is made of black and white printed cotton voile, cotton net, and is trimmed with pale pink ribbon. The high collar, three-quarter length sleeves, and train on the back of the skirt indicate that the garment was made and worn around 1906. The blouse has extra material in the front, which shows that it was probably worn over an s-shaped corset. The delicacy of the net bodice and sheer cotton fabric make it safe to assume this gown was worn by an upper class woman during the day.
During this period, many gowns were lavishly decorated with lace and ribbon details like this one. The early twentieth century, sometimes called the Golden Era or La Belle Epoque was characterized by elaborate Edwardian fashions, technological advancements such as the first successful flight by the Wright brothers in 1903, and a firm belief in progress.
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