Ephemeral Elegance

Crinoline Evening Gown, 1938

Designed by Norman Hartnell. Worn by Queen Elizabeth in a portrait by Sir Gerald Kelly.

via Royal Collection Trust

Ermine Trimmed Court Ensemble, 1916

Worn by Crown Prince Otto von Habsburg to his parents Charles I and IV and Zita of Bourbon-Parma‘s coronation as King and Queen of Hungary held in Budapest on December 30, 1916.

via Paper City

Velvet and Lace Gown, 1895

Worn by Wilhelmina von Hallwyl to her daughter’s wedding

Designed by Augusta Lundin, sold by Au Bon Marche. Portrait by Julius Kronberg.

Via Hallwyl Museum

Embroidered Velvet Opera Coat, 1912

Designed by Jeanne Paquin

Pictured in La Gazette du Bon Ton, 1913, illustration by George Barbier

via The Met

Court Presentation Ensemble, 1896

Worn by Emily Warren Roebling for her formal presentation to Queen Victoria in 1896, at the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna that same year, and in her portrait by Charles-Émile-Auguste Carolus-Duran.

Gown via Met Musuem

Portrait via Brooklyn Musuem

Supertunica and Dalmatica worn by Queen Victoria at her coronation, June 28, 1838.

The dalmatica features the English Rose, Scottish Thistle, and Irish Shamrock.

Top portrait by R.A. Leslie, via V&A

Bottom portrait by Sir George Hayter, 1863, based on a work of 1838, via NPG

Ribbon Trimmed Silk Lawn Dress, ca. 1917-20

Attributed to Lucile

Worn by Mrs. Edward Close (formerly Marjorie Merriweather Post) in a portrait with her two daughters, Adelaide and Eleanor Close, by August Benziger.

via Hillwood Estates

Lace Trimmed Day Dress, ca. 1890

House of Worth

Worn by Mary Chamberlain in her portrait by John Everett Millais.

Portrait via Birmingham Museums. Dress via Fashion Museum Bath

Lace Embellished Evening Gown, ca. 1910

via UH Museum Consortium

Brunswick Jacket, ca. 1765-75

via V&A

Silk Mitts with Metallic Lace Trim, ca. 18th Century

Worn with the regional costume of Zaans, Netherlands

via MFA Boston

Embroidered Net Dress with Cotton Under Dress, ca. 1810-20

via National Museums of Scotland

Printed Cotton Gown, ca. 1800

via Fashion Museum Bath

Cotton Evening Gown, ca. 1803

via FIDM Museum

Beaded Satin Evening Gown, 1957

Designed by Norman Hartnell

Won by Queen Elizabeth ll in her Royal Portrait by Baron Studios

via Royal Collection

Eastern Inspired Brocade Heels, ca. 1930s

via KSUM

Satin Mules with Ribbon Trim, ca. 1900-20

via KSUM