iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Girls' dress, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, 1770 I don't know what it is, but I really love this one. The purple silk and brocaded flowers make for a beautiful fabric. And there's a lovely balance between that fabric and the white neck rulffles and engageantes. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory

Museum photo of an 18th century Dutch dress, made for a 12-14 year old. It is in light purple silk with brocade of green and yellow flowers throughout, and pale pinstripes vertically. The bodice is tapered to a narrow waist, with a stomacher. It has a broad square cut neckline, lined with a single layer of white lace ruffles. The sleeves are elbow length, with ruffles at the ends in the same fabric as the dress, and white lace engageantes below this.
The skirt is full and structured, with extended hips (a little past the line of the shoulders).

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Robe à l'anglaise, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, 1765 The brocading on this is really nice (today I learned what brocade is... 😊). I can't understand how this was done back then, so I'll be looking that up. But it makes for a really beautiful fabric. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

A museum photo of a robe à l'anglaise style dress. It consists of an overdress and tablier (and apron-like front panel). These are made in a blue fabric, with brocade of white trailing vines and flowers.
The bodice is heavily structured and tapered to the waist (though not very narrow), with a wide square cut neckline (filled in with a semi-transparent fichu). The skirts are very full, likely supported by panniers, and extend to the floor.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Two more, by different designers. Green - I love the shape, but I'm unsure of the waist detail. The colour is beautiful though. Pastel - this is just a lovely outfit. The blouse looks delicate & comfortable. The trousers add a practical element to the floral skirt. A+ #fashionsky #fashion #ss2027

Runway photo of a model wearing a full length bright green ballgown. The bodice has a sweetheart neckline and thin shoulder straps. It is fitted to the waist, and embellished with a very chunky belt / wrap, in an iridescent green, wider on the hips and narrowing to a thin connecting point in the centre.
The skirt is very full, with layers of lace or chiffon, extending all the way to the floor.

Runway photo of a model wearing a cream and pastel pink ensemble. The blouse is pale cream, with an open circle neckline, and puffed sleeves to elbow length. It has a fitted waistline that sits above the hips, and a large lace detail down the upper centre of the chest.
It is paired with a full length, loose trousers in the same colour, over which is worn a midi length skirt. This is primarily pink, falls straight from the hips, and has floral details at the top, bottom and down the left and right. It is trimmed with white lace at the hem.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Global Fashion Collective, Paris Fashion Week, S/S 2027 I wish I knew who these were by! The short dress (coat?) is absolutely made by that ruffled skirt and enlarged sleeves - just perfect! Long dress - love the insert panels of extra fabric. Looks great, moves great. #fashionsky #fashion

Runway photo of a model wearing an above the knee length dress. It is broadly in dark pink with blue and yellow faded print scattered sparsely across it. Pinstripes of lighter pink run vertically. It has a button down bodice, with a broad, unstiffened collar. The sleeves are highly enlarged, with multiple layers cascading over each other.
The skirt also has multiple layers giving a ruffled effect, and adding a lot of volume.

Runway photo of a model wearing a simple I-line dress. It is in distinct panels of different colours - purple, dark red, muted blues and greens. The bodice has a subtle waist seam, thin straps, no sleeves, and a low scoop neck.
The skirt has a slight fullness to it, breaking up the I-line a little, which comes from triangular panels of additional material inserted into it.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Robe à l'anglaise, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, 1765 The balance of this dress really works for me. It has typical period architectural elements (rigid bodice, panniers), but this is softened by the floral brocade, folds of fabric, and ruffles. Really lovely. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

Museum photo of a roccoco style dress. It is made in pale green silk, with floral brocade/embroidery throughout.
The bodice is stiff looking and tapered sharply to the waist, with a stomacher and square cut neckline. The sleeves end just past the elbows, where extensive ruffles take over (engageantes?).
The skirt is very broad and full, supported by panniers presumably, with an outer layer that is open in the front, and an inner layer in the same fabric.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Awesome suit, CFCL, Paris S/S 2027 This is really nice. The boxy, tailored jacket & crisp shirt make a really nice contrast with the floaty, relaxed trousers. Its minimalist, but also super fun and wearable (maybe not on the tube on a winter morning...). #fashionsky #fashion #parisfashionweek

A runway photo of a model wearing a suit. The jacket is dark navy or black, worn open, and cropped to just above the hips with full length sleeves. It has minimal lapels. A crisp white shirt with sharp collar is worn beneath. The shirt is tucked into a pair of sheer trousers, so we can see that it extends just past the hips.
The trousers are cut very wide in a sheer white fabric. They are gathered at the ankles.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

And finally, two looks by Matthieu Blazy for #Chanel. I love how they keep returning to the classic Chanel suit, with a fresh take on it in their signature tweed. The trouser suit here looks fabulous, but I'm more drawn to the really precise cut of the sleeveless top. #fashionsky #fashion #ss2027

Runway photo of a model wearing a tweed outfit, primarily in a pale, textured ivory colour.
The top has a shell silhouette, is sleeveless, but has very slight extensions over the shoulder. It has a nicely textured neckline, creating some softness.
The skirt falls below the knee and is quite loose, with a straight fall. It has slightly frayed edges, giving a rough-hewn, natural look.

Runway photo of a charcoal women's suit, in a charcoal coloured, finely woven tweed. The jacket is collarless with a high round neck and slightly structured shoulders. It has some gentle shaping at the waist for an hourglass silhouette, and a row of jewel-like buttons that contrast the dark fabric. The jacket falls over the hips on each side, like a slight peplum effect. The trousers have a slim, narrow fit. They make this a nice contrast to Chanel's usual skirt suits.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Next is from Kiko Kostadinov, who I confess is new to me. What I love: the tailoring of the shirt is immaculate. And then we have the unusual asymmetric skirt over trousers, and the frankly strange colour clashes of the red belt and purple shoes. Really interesting. #fashionsky #fashion #ss2027

Runway photo of a formal shirt and trousers. The shirt is white, with a slightly enlarged formal collar, rolled up oversized sleeves, and geometric cutout design elements on each side of the centre line.
The lower half is a hybrid - formal trousers in black, cut slightly long, and an asymmetric skirt over these. This is full to above the knee on the model's right, but it has an enlarged slit on the right to the belt line (really its just full open here). The look is completed with a bright red belt and purple shoes.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Paris fashion week is done, so I'll be back to historical #fashion soon. In the meantime... #Zimmerman here, with beautiful embellishments and textures on the two full length looks. And I love how the mini-dress seems to wrap around the back to connect with the neckline. #ss2027 #fashionsky

A runway photo of an ethereal looking mini-dress, constructed with wrapped rather than tailored fabric. It is made of layers of silk chiffon in pastel pink, yellow, purple and green. It has a deep v-neck, with folds of fabric sweeping across the body from each shoulder, and then wrapping around the lower body creating the above-the knee skirt.

A full length dress made entirely in an unusual kind of lace - no netting, just a lot of connected design elements. Its midi-length, with floral lace work throughout the whole garment. The bodice is sleeveless with a deep v-neck (to below the bust). The skirt is a loose A-line, or maybe a godet style, with folds of extra material, and a scalloped hem.

A runway photo of a two-piece ensemble, consisting of a cropped top and voluminous midi skirt. Its made of a heavy fabric (denim?) in a deep indigo colour, with 3D floral applique throughout.
The top has short cap sleeves and is cropped high on the abdomen, with a circle neckline. The skirt hangs low on the hips and falls in a voluminous A-line shape. With pockets, thankfully.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And finally, a really lovely asymmetric wrap dress from Ellie Saab. This fits with what I've seen of her before - a lot of romantic, ethereal designs. Really worth checking her out if you're not familiar with her stuff. #fashionsky #fashion #ss2027 #EllieSaab

runway photo of a one shoulder, column silhouette dress, constructed with wrapped/draped tuille or chiffon. It is in peach. The fabric of the bodice sweeps in a sharp diagonal across the chest from the right shoulder to under the left arm. Here it is crossed by a large horizontal band of fabric, wrapped around the mid-section. The skirt flows from beneath this band to the floor, with a hip-height slit on the left side. It creates an interesting visual effect where the right side of the model is mostly covered, and the left arm and leg are fully exposed.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Next, two lovely outfits by Sarah Burton, now at Givenchy. They combine asymmetry and draping in a really beautiful way, while still functioning as wearable outfits. And the dress is just a beautiful piece of art, plain and simple. #fashion #fashionsky #ss2027 #givenchy

Runway photo of a fitted black dress, worn over a mens-style, oversized shirt. It is an outfit of really strong visual contrast.
The shirt is white and tailored, with a traditional menswear collar. The sleeves are high on the forearms.
The dress has an irregular cut hem, sweeping from above the knee on one side to midway down the calf on the other. It is supported by a single broad strap on the right side, with the "neckline" sweeping down to just above the left hip.

Runway photo of a close-fitting asymmetric dress.
It is in black, with very large blue, yellow and white floral prints. The waist is fitted, and the skirt falls cleanly from the hips to the hem. It is irregularly cut at the hem, above the knee on one side, ankle on the other. The strongest visual element is the bodice. It has a really dramatic draped scarf-like panel wrapped around the left shoulder and upper torso. It leaves the right shoulder exposed, with the drape extending into a knotted side detail on the outside of the left upper arm.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Further finds from Paris fashion week. First, a couple of dresses by Rafael Urquizar. There have been a lot of deconstructed pieces all week, and the simplicity of this collection really stood out to me. Plus, pockets in dresses. Need those. #fashionweek #fashion #ss2027 #parisfashionweek

Runway photo of a full length, sleeveless, grey dress. It has a sleeveless bodice with a fitted waistline, small gold ornamentation at the centre of the waist, and a bateau neckline. The skirt is very full, with a lot of extra volume, plus functional side pockets. The skirt ends in two horizontal stripes, the upper of black, and the lower (twice the size) in white.

Runway photo of a full length, red dress. It has a sleeveless bodice with a fitted waistline, small gold ornamentation at the centre of the waist, and a bateau neckline. The skirt is full, and of a slightly stiffened fabric, giving it a structural feel as it falls in a clean line to the floor. It has two functional side pockets.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Just installed #dressmaker and I'm super excited to try it, but I won't have time until Sunday 😭

Screenshot from a video game. It shows an old fashioned dress-making salon, and is viewed from the perspective of the owner. We are sitting behind a desk with a notebook and a cup of tea, and can see a work table, dress making mannequin, and the front door.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Ball gown, Netherlands, 1760 The widest dress at Kunstmuseum den Haag! Floral motifs on silk, with lots of cool features: the skirts supported by panniers; decorative apron in silk passementerie; & lace sleeve ruffles. Strange to modern eyes, but lovely. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

Museum photo of a formal ball gown.
Its made of light blue silk woven with multicolored floral motifs. It is an example of a mantua, consisting of an overdress with a fitted back and a separate skirt.
This one also has a decorative apron made of silk passementerie. Lace trimmings and lace sleeve ruffles were then added around the neckline and sleeves.
The skirt is about 3 feet wider than the wearers hips on each side, making for a huge visual impact.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Girl's dress, 1750, Kunstmuseum den Haag I love this. Nearly 300 years old, and the green silk is as vibrant as ever. What a startlingly beautiful thing this must have been back then, and for quite a young (12-14) person too. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory #historicalfashion

Museum photo of a rococo (maybe?) style girls dress, primarily in green silk. It has a close fitted bodice, with a very broad scoop neckline. Beneath this, covering the upper chest, is a white fichu. The sleeves are three quarter length, with lace trimming at the ends. The waist is tight and decorated with some 15 or so horizontal bands of fabric in various pastel colours.
There is a small peplum over the hips in the same green silk, and the skirt below this is full length, enlarged considerably at the hips with some underlying structure, and has deep pleats at the top, allowing it to hang very nicely.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Tailored suit, Stella McCartney, Paris S/S 2027 Struggling to find much this fashion week. But I love the relaxed fit & softness (fabric, cut, colour) of this suit. The drawstrings are a cute detail that add a nice subtle shaping to the jacket. Cool design. #fashionsky #fashionweek #paris #ss2027

Runway photo of an oversized contemporary tailored suit in blush pink. The jacket is single breasted with a single button, and has a cinched (drawstring) waist detail, flap pockets at the hips and a welt chest pocket. The trousers are loose cut with a soft crease, and fall over the top of the shoes. Its complemented by a simple shirt with a soft collar beneath the jacket. Looks very comfortable.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Mantua court dress, 1747 I found another haul of old dresses, so lets go! You may notice that the hips are slightly accentuated - a subtle touch, I'm sure you'll agree 😁 The bodice itself is quite beautiful, with the neckline ruffles a lovely touch. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory

Museum photo of a court dress in pale yellow and white silk. It has chinoiserie embroidery throughout, a pointed stomacher, and a square cut neckline trimmed with ruffles. The most obvious visual feature is the extremely enlarged side hips, extending a good 70cm or so from the bodice to the right and left. These enlarge the skirt considerably and are likely supported by hoops and panniers.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Casual outfit, Alessandro Enriquez, Milan S/S 2027 The whole collection is outstanding (link in alt text), but I have absolutely fallen in love with this outfit. The Breton shirt pairs so well with that sunshine yellow skirt - its cheerful, romantic, maximalist. Love it. #fashion #ss2027 #milan

Link to full collection:
https://uk.fashionnetwork.com/galeries/photos/Alessandro-Enriquez,76599.html

Description of this image:
A photo of a model wearing an outfit from a new collection. She is wearing a Breton t-shirt, with broad white and black horizontal stripes, a red circle collar, and the word 'DIVINO' printed in gold lettering.
This is paired with a high-waisted, mid-length A-line skirt. Its in sunshine yellow, fading to orange at the bottom. Its paired with a yellow belt, and has images of clouds, sunshine and classical looking structures in the print.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Evening dress, Christian Lacroix, France, 1987 It still counts as fashion history, ok? 39 years ago is definitely history 😄 Anyway, I love this. Big hat, big skirt, big embroidery. You can't go wrong. #fashionsky #dresshistory #HouseofPatou #fashion #fashionhistory

Museum photo of a short gray silk dress with black embroidered skirt, white ruffled bodice, and black satin straps tied in bows at the top. The skirt is extremely full and seemed to have layers of petticoats.

The waistline is just below the bust, and is accentuated by a light green silk belt, with a chunky flat textured buckle in the same colour.

It is worn with an oversized straw hat with square crown and very wide brim, which has a pink silk rose and green petals at the front.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Hooded midi-dress, Colleen Allen, NY S/S 2027 I nearly passed this by, but then the block of vivid blue caught my eye. The line of the dress is fairly simple, but then the high collar, puffed sleeves, and hood combine for a really dramatic effect. Interesting. #fashionsky #fashion #dress #ss2027

Image from a fashion photo shoot, showing a model wearing a bright blue midi dress with a sort of A-line silhouette. It has voluminous long sleeves, a high neckline, and a matching hood that covers the back of the head. Its paired with what looks like an oversized blue shoulder bag, in the same fabric, and black pointed-toe heels.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Sheath dress, Mithridate, London S/S 2027 I'm up and down on modern fashion, but there's been some interesting stuff this season. I think this designer has been playing #SilentHill - its giving Pyramid Head vibes! But the dress itself is a lovely feathered thing. #fashionsky #fashion #dress

A catwalk photo of a model wearing a strapless sheath/column dress, in a pale cream colour, paired with black tights and white heels. The dress is narrow at the bust, with flared hips, and narrowing again to the hemline at mid-calf. It is textured all over with individual 3D feathers (synthetic) in cream, pale blue, and accents of yellow.
The look is completed with a pyramid shaped headpiece in white gauze, which obscures the model's face.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Still surprising to me that this is my social media output. I did not see that coming a few years ago 😄 But it really is hard to beat a beautiful dress.

Screenshot of an instagram page, showing 8 different dress from various periods.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Silk draped dress, Torimaru, England, 1976 A dress that flows like a river. The fabric seems to spill from the halter neck, sweeping down the body, then splitting in the skirt, before sweeping back up behind the figure to form the hood. Wonderful. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory #fashion

Museum photo of a mannequin wearing a cream coloured halter neck drape dress. The fabric of the dress seems to flow from the halter neck, which crosses over at the throat, flowing down the body. As its silk it clings, while retaining a flow due to the volume of fabric. The dress splits in front, at the mid leg, which each side sweeping backwards to form what would be a train. However, the train is lifted up, forming a cape and hood.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Silk suit, Arnold Scaasi, USA, 1968 I really like this. Lovely colour, and the short, high-cut jacket looks really cool, especially sitting on top of that broad waist band. The skirt has a really nice flow to it too. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory #fashion

Museum photo of a silk dress in coral colour, with a turquoise bodice just visible beneath. The dress consists in a loose, straight-cut skirt (to the knee), with a high broad waistband, and a beaded lattice pattern (also coral) over a turquoise bodice). It has extensive beading at the collar.
Its paired with a short coral coloured jacket with 3/4 length sleeves, and further beading at the cuffs. This has 4 covered buttons down the centre.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Close up of the pleated fabric of the bodice. Apparently she generally did the pleating by hand. Extraordinary work. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory #costume

Close up of the bodice of the dress in the linked post.
Shows panels of diagonally interlocking bands of pleated jersey fabric, in white, pink and lavender.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Evening dress, Madame Grès, Paris, 1962 A repost of my favourite dress. The wrap of the bodice and its soft colours are intricate, but guide the eye rather than creating visual noise. The skirt's folds are so soft they seem to fall like rain. Incredible. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

Museum photo of a full-length, sleeveless, Grecian-inspired, asymmetrical evening dress in pink, white and lavender. The fabric is silk jersey. The bodice is supported at the left shoulder only, and it is comprised of bands of different coloured, pleated fabric (about 10cm wide) that interlock with each other in a diagonal criss-cross down the bodice. These flow into the skirt folds, which continue the colour of each band down the length of the skirt.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Silk plain weave dress, Madeleine Chéruit, Paris, 1927 A big jump forward, both in terms of time and fashion from the previous dress I posted. This now feels very modern, even though its almost 100 years old! Beautiful dress. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

Museum photo of a sheer black silk dress. The skirt is knee length and lightly flared (sort of A-line). It has long narrow sleeves, and a deep V-neck, almost to the navel. Beneath is a very pale gold, unadorned top. The dress has small black sequins throughout.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Day ensemble, Boston, USA, 1906 Apparently this was made by a Miss Mary Perdew, and donated to the MFA in Boston. The fit of the waist seems just so, and the shape of the neckline and collar are really interesting. Lovely design. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory #historicalfashion

Pinkish red wool dress, full length, with full length fitted sleeves.
The waistline is slightly high and drawn in for a snug fit. The skirt flares out somewhat, with gentle folds, some nice textured geometric patterns in the same colour and fabric, and a slight trail behind.
The bodice is interesting. The same patterning on the front of the chest and shoulders, and two large tassels hanging from either side of the breast. The neckline is slightly square-cut, with a lighter coloured fabric framing the two vertical sides.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Evening dress, House of Worth, Paris, 1888 Not sure what to say about this one, because I still haven't quite grasped what's going on with it (my alt text is a mess, sorry!). Its a beautiful, unusual colour anyhow, and I love the floral shoulder detail. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory

Museum photo of a full length evening dress in light pink ribbed silk. The bodice is complex, with a deep V lower centre, wide cut low neck, lightly ruffled cap sleeves of chiffon, and loose hanging lines of jet beads and black satin across the front. A black floral detail sits on the left shoulder.
The skirt is full length, with most of the fullness behind, and open in front with an underskirt (?) of the same colour. However, this is decorated with a black lattice pattern from the knees down to the hem.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Reception dress, House of Worth, Paris, 1883 Vampire fashion, anyone? 🧛‍♀️ Charles Worth's stuff is always interesting, and I've a few to share at the moment. The matching V shapes on the bodice and skirt really draw the eye here - unusual design element. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

A full length evening dress in a dark purplish red silk, with satin and taffeta elements. The bodice is tapered to a V extending well below the hip line, and boned lightly. It has a deep V neckline, with the layer below obscured by extensive white lace and ruffles (also on the sleeve cuffs). A further embroidered (I think) metal thread V completes the bodice, sweeping from the chest on each side to the bottom front of the bodice.
The skirt is a slightly lighter hue, with a bustle and large train. A similar V to the one on the bodice sweeps from each hip to the front centre of the skirt, all the way to the hem.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Afternoon dress, House of Worth, Paris, 1880 There's a lot going on here! I wonder where it would be worn? Its described as an afternoon dress, but the train and volume of fabric make it look quite cumbersome. HoW designs are always interesting. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

Museum photo of a dress in pale green-yellow. It consists in a bodice, fitted snugly and boned, with a low narrow neckline, heavily fringed with yellow chiffon. It has full length sleevees with the same fringing. The skirt is in multiple layers. The front of the skirt has horizontal drapery, fringed with vertical tassels at the hem. It has a second layer of a stiffer fabric with a floral patter, which splits open down the front, sweeping from centre to hip width at the floor. There is a further layer of plainer fabric forming the train, hanging from the hips to several feet behind the figure.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

About 200 hours in, and I've finally caught up with what everyone was doing in 2017 in Final Fantasy XIV. Give me another couple of years and I'll be right up to date with the most recent expansions 😁 #finalfantasy #finalfantasy14 #ff14 #stormblood #MMORPG

Screenshot of the main menu screen of Final Fantasy 14. This version is for the Stormblood expansion, and shows what appear to be revolutionary figures against a tattered yellow flag, in an image in the background. The foreground contains menu options, and a hint of fire in the lighting.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Silk faille dress, House of Worth, Paris, 1870 The colour is so rich and vibrant! I wonder was purple still a signifier of wealth at this time? I think it was mid-1800s when cheaper dyes starting being developed. #fashionhistory #dresshistory #fashionsky

Museum photo of a purple and white dress.
The skirt is in two visually distinct sections. The front is white silk faille, with three horizontal bands of purple between the knees and ankles, and a hem in a further band of purple silk. The rear of the skirt is entirely in purple, with a large bustle, and purple ruffles edging the entirety of the purple section.
The bodice is narrow at the waist, looks stiff, with structured shoulders. It has full length sleeves with broad cuffs trimmed in black and gold, tapers to a curved v at the mid-section, and has black and gold ruffles down the front centre and around the high collar.
Purple silk faille skirt trimmed with cream-colored lace embroidered with black chenille yarn; skirt front made of white silk faille with supplementary warp patterning. Purple silk faille evening bodice trimmed with cream and black net lace attached to the skirt. Purple silk faille day bodice trimmed with black and cream net lace; center front made of white silk faille with supplementary warp pattern with buttons. Two detached purple silk faille bows.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Evening dress, Madame Roger, Paris, 1865 Ice cream? This feels like ice cream 🍨, seaside promenades 🏖️, and Summer ☀️. Needs a parasol though. The size of the stripes took me by surprise, but it creates a really lovely effect. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory

Museum photo a full length evening dress in silk and satin, coloured in cream and pink vertical stripes (each about 6-8 inches thick).
It has a narrow bodice with lace and ribbon trimmings at the wide scoop neckline. The skirt is extremely large, with structure beneath to expand it a little to the sides and front, and extensively behind. It has a full trail beyond even this, and is paired with a white belt, and white layer that sits atop the back of the skirt (again trimmed with lace).

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Ball dress, American or French, 1858 "Couturier! Make me a dress that is not just pink in colour, but that incarnates the eternal spirt of pink-ness!" Job done. And it is so beautiful. What an impact this must have made 170 years ago! #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

Museum photo of a full length pink ball gown in tulle and taffeta.

The bodice has a tight, narrow waist, a widely flaring neckline with a slight v-shape at centre, and short puffed sleeves. Its trimmed with ruffles of lace and pink bows.
The skirt has several flounces, is trimmed with gauze, and has a structure to allow it to expand out equally in all directions.
Two garlands of fake flowers hang from the left and right of the waist.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Tekken winners final at VS Fighting - Knee versus LowHigh. Huge Korean representation here. Really fun to watch live 😁 #tekken #fgc

Photo of a cinema screen showing Tekken footage. Two players are huddled around a small screen directly below the cinema screen. Two commentators are to the right of them.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Court dress, France, 1830 You can almost feel the movement of the skirt on this one, right? It looks like it'd be really beautiful in motion, with the golden flowers shining bright in the lamplight. A beautiful dress. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory

Court dress in white silk satin, with gilt threaded floral detailing. It has a wide, round neckline, exposing most of the shoulders, with large puff sleeves to the elbow. The waist is slightly high and quite narrow, with the skirt pleated in front, reaching almost the floor.

The gilt detailing is a small repeating pattern over the top and upper half of the skirt, but the lower half has very large leaf and flower details.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Cotton dress, France, 1805 A single colour dress is interesting. Means the design itself really has to pop, which is cool. I love the floral embroidered hem and trail - they're so pretty. The little satin ties on the sleeves are also a lovely touch. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory

White cotton dress in plain weave. It has an empire style, with a drawstring square-cut neckline, puffed short sleeves with white satin ribbon ties; and a trained skirt and short trail. White cotton floral embroidery circles the entire hem.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Formal dress, France, 1805 I really love this neoclassical style - the high waists really pop, and the fabric of the dresses always have a beautiful flow. I feel like we see less and less of this leafy/floral detailing as the years go by. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory #ootd

Museum photo of a white cotton dress in a neoclassical style. It has short sleeves to the upper bicep, a high waistline just under the bust, and a shallow v-neckline. The dress is full length and hangs relatively straight, without folds, to the floor. IT has a long, wide trail to the rear, of the same fabric.
The dress is white, but with red leafy detailing throughout. These are scattered intermittently over main body of the fabric, and also in a broad strip down the centre line of the dress, and at the front of the skirt hem.
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/67396/formal-dress

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Formal dress, 1735 (restyled 1770), Holland My first impression is: panniers ahoy! But the composition of this dress is really something. Everywhere you look there's wonderful detail - the gilt yarn, the delicately ruffled sleeves, the chinoiserie motif. #fashionhistory #dresshistory #fashionsky

Museum photo of a full length formal dress, in cream silk satin with decorative elements in gold and multicoloured yarn.
It has extremely wide panniers (maybe 60cm each side), a square cut neckline, and delicate silk ruffles around the neckline and enlarged cuffs.
The fabric is decorated throughout in chinoiserie motifs - trees, strange creatures, pagodas, figures in stereotypically 'asian' dress, etc.
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/624112/

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Dress & petticoat, France, 1730 I found a new haul of dresses, including maybe the nicest dress I've ever seen (but not until 1962). In the meantime, we've got this beautiful thing in silk lampas (new word). The flow of material really appeals to me here. #fashionhistory #dresshistory #fashionsky

Museum photo of a dress and petticoat in blue silk lampas, with white floral detailing throughout.
It consists in an overdress of a loose fitting bodice and full skirt, with short fitted sleeves and asymmetrical cuffs gathered at the elbow.
Original link is here:
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/488666/dress-and-petticoat-robe-volante

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

"What am I supposed to say about other people's problems?" You heard him!

Screenshot of Squall from Final Fantasy 8, standing in his bedroom. Probably vaguely annoyed about something and also doubting himself.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Afternoon dress, China, 1910 I love this. Its 116 years old, but you wouldn't think twice if you saw it in the right setting today. The embroidery (?) is so detailed & beautiful, and I love the simple, unsupported structure. Not a bustle in sight! #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory #TheMet

Museum photo of a cream coloured full length dress, with short sleeves and a circular neck line.
It may once have been white, given the age. The impression is of an almost sheer fabric, embellished throughout with embroidered floral detailing in every part of the dress.
The lower skirt hangs straight to the floor, with few folds and no structural elements.
The waist is slightly narrowed, and the bodice is simple.
Really the whole dress is as simple as can be, but carried by the lovely decorations.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Evening dress, Herbert Luey, USA, 1912 No reservations, this is just beautiful. I love the colour, and the draping is really complex and gives the dress a wonderful flow. It took me a while to figure out what was going on with the fabric tbh! #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory #TheMet

Museum photo of a silk, full length evening dress in peach and cream tones.
The skirt is straight, lightly pleated, and has a velvet texture with light floral detailing throughout. Its accentuated by a sash in the same material around the waist.
The short-sleeved top is a mix of sheer and opaque cream fabrics, draped in complex ways around the body, and acting as a slight overskirt (high at the front, low at the rear).
There is a large red floral bunch of fabric on the waist at the right.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Coat, J Hamilton, American, 1905 A little tricky to see the detail here due to the colour. Interesting one though. Its got the most fabulous chunky buttons, and the frankly weird collar looks like a torc but does actually open properly. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory #TheMet

Black coat in cotton and silk. The shape is similar to a full-sleeved tunic dress, with light flaring of the coat hem. It has a chunky leather or leather effect belt with a gold coloured buckle. The top closes with very chunky fabric buttons, which sit down the left-most part of the breast. It has a high, tight collar, and at the wrists and across the collar bones, further strips of leather with fabric detailing, that almost call to mind armour.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Getting absolutely destroyed online in #Granblue, but I'm slowly learning. And every so often I get to land this outrageously silly super move. So all is well. #granbluefantasyversus #fgc #vikala #gbfvr

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Child's coat, USA, 1905 A beautiful, high quality garment. Cotton with wool lining for the main body, and silk for the collar and cape. I am somewhat resentful that my parents never provided me with such a thing 😠 #fashionsky #fashionhistory #TheMet

Museum photo of a tan-coloured child's coat (hard to tell, but likely for a boy below the age of 8). The form of the main body is that of a long, A-line tunic, with buttons on either side of the opening, fastened by cords of cotton. Narrow sleeves are mostly hidden from view by a separate cape (with a sort of Peter Pan collar). This extends almost to the wrists, and is slightly open in front.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Dinner dress, France, 1903 Not sold on the colour scheme, but this is a fabulous dress. PLEASE click in and open the image in a new tab, the detailing is S-tier. I'm most taken by the neat little jacket, but the whole thing is rather lovely. #fashionsky #fashionhistory #dresshistory #TheMet

Museum photo of a full length dress, primarily in dark bronze, velvet-textured silk.
The dress is in two parts. A very short, small jacket is worn over the top. This is made to hang open at the front, with the lapels a few inches apart. It is inset with rhinestones down the front in decorative patterns. It has a slight gigot sleeves effect going, and these end just below the navel.
The dress itself hangs together from a beautiful light bronze coloured silk sash at the waist (though I think its not a sash, but intrinsic to the structure of the dress - I just don't know what to call it). The skirt is full below this, with a slight bustle, and a pleating effect that catches the light. Above the waist it has a deep scoop neckline, but we mostly can't see it because of the jacket.
A high necked, cream coloured, lace shirt is worn underneath.

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Alan 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @bows4crows.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Dress, Nebraska USA, 1902 I'm light on details here - can't even tell the fabric! A simultaneously muted and extravagant dress. Extraordinary decorative detailing, but its just so dark! In bright sunlight I reckon it would be a sight to behold. #fashionsky #dresshistory #fashionhistory #TheMet

Image 1.
Museum photo of a full length black dress. The skirt is narrow, with a bustle behind. It consists of a black underskirt, with some sort of highly decorative lace (maybe) on top. The top is of the same construction, cinched tight at its circular waist, with a lace cravat or neck piece, high collar, and full length sleeves.

Image 2.
A close up picture of the upper back of the same dress from Image 1.
Here we can see the detailing on the surface of the dress more easily. Lots of swirling shapes, recalling plants or waves.

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