I have four delightful photos to share with you today. All are carte de visite photos, 4 x 2.5 inches. Three were taken in Terre Haute, Indiana, including the one above. C. Eppert was the photographer, his shop was located at No. 87 Main Street, between Third and Fourth. No backgrounds in these three photos are indicative of the 1860’s. This little girl and her mother have clothing appropriate for the time period – the little girl’s bolero jacket can be seen if you look closely.
This photo was also taken by Mr. Eppert – two sweet little girls with hairstyles very similar to the first picture. The thin lines give a bit of decoration to the solid material of their dresses.
This photo was also taken in Terre Haute, but by J. M. Adams, Photographer. His shop was located opposite the opera house. This dress is a bit more decorate, and the girl wears a white blouse with ruffled cuffs that peak out from the sleeves of her dress.
This photograph has the date 1868 on it. These two girls are a bit older. Their hairstyles are older, and they wear jewelry. However their skirts do not reach the floor.
Categories: Old Photos
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for posting them. All the old photographs seem to show people in their Sunday best with long sleeves, high collars, long pants or dresses. This would be fine for cool weather or dress occasions, but in the hot summer? Thinking of how we dress now days with short everything and light fabrics I’ve always wondered how folks dressed in August in, say Texas or Georgia. Surely, they didn’t wear all those clothes in the baking sun and humidity. I believe at least in the deep south ladies used to retire to their boudoir and strip to undies. Of course we never see that, but I don’t recall ever seeing pics of gents sitting in the shade in their briefs or shirtless. Any thoughts?
As you said, perhaps in the boudoir, but never in public!! These long dresses with many layers underneath were worn year round. The gentlemen wore their long sleeves and generally at least a vest – even a farmer working in the field or other laborer. It was a different time period and rules were strictly enforced. I own perhaps 4,000 old photographs and all follow this code of dress.