Antique Victorian Governess Dress, England, ca. 1850 #antiqueshoes A velvet belt defines the

A velvet belt defines the waist and ties the bodice visually to the richly textured skirt

This pair of antique Edwardian era two tone brown high top lace-up cloth boots dates from ca

a common issue in garments of this era

paired with a matching black silk satin slip

This is broken in one place

Antique Victorian Governess Dress, England, ca. 1850 #antiqueshoes A velvet belt defines theThis rare antique governess dress, dating to around 1850, offers a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural world of 19thcentury womens workwear. Originally, the education of young children or older daughters was entrusted to governesses in aristocratic households. From the second half of the 18th century onward, the profession also became common among the British middle class. For educated women without financial support from a father,