A debutante gets ready for court presentation, 1880s
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A debutante gets ready for court presentation, 1880s
A 20th century impression of a young debutante getting ready to be presented at court. As two maids put the finishing touches to her dress, her mother beams at her proudly. Her decolletage looks rather revealing but in fact, court regulations stipulated low dresses and short sleeve, unless a lady was known (on medical certificate) to be too delicate to come to Court except in demi-toilette in which she could wear a high bodice and elbow sleeves.
1928
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Media ID 14125488
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Courts Debs Debut Debutante Debutantes Decolletage Dressed Dressing Feathers Gown Maid Maids Neckline Preparation Presentation Presented Servants
EDITORS COMMENTS
A Debutante Gets Ready for Court Presentation: A 20th Century Impression of a Victorian Era Tradition This photograph, taken in the late 1920s, offers a glimpse into the grand tradition of a debutante's court presentation during the Victorian era. The young woman, adorned in a stunning gown, sits before a large mirror as two devoted maids put the final touches on her attire. Her mother, proudly beaming at her daughter, reflects the excitement and anticipation of this significant moment in her life. The debutante's gown, with its intricate beading and delicate feathers, exudes elegance and sophistication. However, contrary to the revealing appearance of her decolletage, court regulations stipulated that dresses be low and sleeves short only for ladies who were known to be too delicate to attend court except in demi-toilette. This meant they could wear high bodices and elbow-length sleeves. The scene unfolds in the intimate setting of the debutante's bedroom, filled with the soft glow of natural light filtering through the window. The air is thick with the scent of lavender and the gentle hum of conversation between mother and maids. The young woman's reflection in the mirror reveals a mixture of nervousness and excitement as she prepares to make her grand entrance into society. This photograph, brought to us by Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans from Mary Evans Prints Online, captures the essence of a bygone era, where tradition, elegance, and the transition from girlhood to womanhood were celebrated in the most magnificent of ways.
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