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The information that can be gained through looking at the costume of a sitter in a photograph is very wide ranging. This can range from an approximate date, taking into account the continuity of some fashions, to the social history of the sitters. This can give some idea of the social class and in certain cases, their occupation.

An example is given below:

In this photograph, a group of ladies can be seen taking tea, the centre piece, a silver teapot. Their dress is typical of the period 1895-1900, the most identifiable feature being the "leg of mutton" or "gigot" sleeves which reached their widest in the mid 1890s. Their hair also shows a remarkable fashionable consistancy, piled high onto the head in chignons and set off with hats, elaborately trimmed with feathers and other accoutrements. These fashions lingered on into the first few years of the Edwardian period, up until about 1905. In fact, the fashion for trimming hats with exotic feathers, almost caused the extinction of various birds of paradise at the time, so great was the demand.

The predominant colour of the dress is black and this probably reflects the mature age of most of the sitters. Following the example of Queen Victoria, many women stayed in black as a symbol of their widowhood for the rest of their lives, after the death of a loved one.

It is only the younger woman, towards the back, who seems to have a paler coloured bodice, also reflecting the love of pastel shades which came to predominance at the turn of the century.

All the dresses would be of a similar construction, a bodice and a flared A line skirt worn over a corset. During the 1890s, bodices where often open at the front in a V shape, with a more elaborate infill beneath. The neckline remained high, undoubtedly influenced by the fashion leader of the time, Princess Alexandra. Pin tucking was also gaining in popularity as a decorative feature. Originally used on under garments and children?s clothes, it can be seen on the bodice of the lady in paler colours.

Accessories such as fur stoles finish off many of the outfits in this afternoon, semi-formal setting.

Although many of mature age, the ladies in this photograph still reflect current fashions and project a certain standing in society. They appear to be respectable figures of society, their clothes and the ceremony of taking tea, both reflecting and enhancing this.

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