- Image
5
While this
woman's dress is trimmed on both the bodice and the skirt the couple's
overall appearance is not one of opulence. It is more likely she has
applied the trim to a rather plain dress in order to make it appear
more up to date. The sleeves are more narrow at the top than one
would expect for an 1860's style, but the size of the collar, its
shape, and the fact it appears to meet in front underneath a broach
indicate 1860's style. The length of the bodice is hidden unerneath
the apron, as is the waist treatment of the skirt. She is obviously
not wearing a corset which means she is not strictly fashion
conscious. If one were in the habit of wearing a corset it seems
likely she would do so when having an image struck. * The apron is
cut very full (as full as the skirt), and if she were standing appears
to be about knee-length. The apron has the appearance of being
functional, not particularly decorative, however, it may have been
made of a richer fabric than the dress and worn in an attempt to
appear dressier. The apron may also have been worn to hide the rather
ample waistline and the fact she is not wearing a corset.
Her husband
has the appearance of a man used to work, his sack coat is probably
his "best" since it has been worn to have his image struck. The
trowsers, waistcoat, and sack coat all appear to be of different
fabric. He wears a white shirt and simple dark cravat.
Their station
in life might be judged to be upper lower or lower middle. They have
the appearance of a couple who have known hard work, and who have
worked with their hands. He may be a farmer, farm hand, hired
blacksmith, a painter, a harness maker, a carpenter, a mechanic, a
millwright, a cheese maker, day laborer, stable keeper, brick mason,
stone cutter, sawyer, cooper, a wagoner, cabinet maker, a painter, a
butcher, marble cutter, a baker, a well digger, fence maker, rope
maker, ferryman, teamster, nurseryman, plasterer, etc.
The wife does
not give the appearance of having had anyone to help her around the
house. She most likely did her own cooking, cleaning, and chores
around the house. During the war she probably was a spinner and
weaver, and perhaps helped to outfit sons who were away at war. She
could have been a midwife or followed some other pursuit. Since she
would not likely have had domestic help she may have known about herbs
and their medicinal qualities, she may have kept chickens and other
farm animals. She likely would have made butter and cheese, preserved
summer's bounty from a kitchen garden, etc. She would have known all
the basic skills that made up the day to day life of a rural woman.
* This woman
is not corsetted, but she is not wearing Playtex Cross-Your-Heart
either. A period look may be obtained by wearing a corset, work
stays, or just a chemise, but a bra is noticeably incorrect for the
time period.