1880 Fashion Plate
In the early 1880s the bustle was disappearing. It turned into a narrow skirt that had only a small amount of padding at the back. However the bustle moved in and out of fashion over the course of the decade.
In the 1880s the tight fitting cuirass bodice were still the most prevalent, however, shorter basques were beginning to remerge. These bodices would end in a downward point. The one-piece princess dress was also still in style during the 1880s.
In 1882 the most common form of dress was a wide skirt with a puff at the back. In the early 1880s the look of the polonaise was fashionable, which is a dress constructed of a bodice and skirt combination with a distinct overskirt usually ending about half to three-quarters way down the underskirt. The bustle grew through out the decade and reached its maximum size in 1886. At that time the bustle grew and was set high on the back.
1885 Fashion Plate
1888 Fashion Plate
During the mid 1880s the dresses would have a waistline just above the natural waistline where a nearly horizontal deep bustle would emerge.
But beginning in 1887 the bustle disappeared and was replaced with a dropping set of deep folds. By the end of the decade a slim skirt was fashionable.
1896 Fashion Plate
1896 Fashion Plate
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