Supported and shaped by stiff horsehair petticoats, this period’s wide skirts became known as crinolines. This brown, plaid, silk taffeta dress features a faux-cape and pagoda or bell sleeves, edged with cut velvet braid.

The high neckline has an applied lace collar. Detachable lace collars and lace undersleeves were common during the 1840s and 1850s.

The inside of the bodice is lined with a brown cotton twill, and the sleeves are lined with a brown plain weave cotton. The pagoda sleeves are set low on the shoulders and lined with a brown silk. The lack of decoration on the skirt draws attention to the plaid of the dress fabric.

This dress was altered at some point. Two bust darts on either side of the bodice's opening were let out. The back seams and the front of the waist were also let out, where a small remnant of the plaid fabric was taken out of the skirt bottom, folded and stitched.