The Alphabet Posts are back! Now that I’m not all over the place, I hope to make it through the rest of the alphabet before the end of the year!
Today P is for pelerine, a short woman’s cape made of lace, silk, or fur, with pointed ends at the center front and popular during the 19th century.
Printed wool afternoon dress (with matching pelerine), American, ca. 1835. Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pelerines could be of the same material as the garment worn, or of a different material.
According to one source, the pelerine was “often associated with relatively casual situations. The fashion press suggested ensembles including pelerines for visits to the country or the seashore.”
There were, however, also more formal and elaborate pelerines. such as this one from 1835, made of embroidered silk.
Pelerine, British c. 1835 embroidered silk. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Irene Lewisohn Trust
In March of 1853, Godey’s Lady’s Book suggested lace pelerines for “ladies who, for convenience or lightness of dress, wear low corsages [bodices] in the evening, but do not like to leave the neck entirely exposed.”
Pelerine. American c. 1835. Cotton. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection.
“This is a quintessential example of the multi-tiered pelerine collars of the 1830s that lay on top of the large gigot dress sleeves. The combination of floral embroidery, saw-tooth borders and various pointed edges creates a visually compelling effect.” Metropolitan Museum of Art
And my favorite, a formal pelerine made of jet and silk.
Pelerine, American 1890, jet, silk. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at Metropolitan Museum of Art
Or this gorgeous specimen:
Silk satin Pelerine, glass bead embroidery, machine lace, silk lining . c. 1880. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
One sometimes envies the fashions of prior eras, when elegance was a way of life.
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Thanks so much for posting this – great photos and such sumptuous fabrics!
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They are spectacular, aren’t they? I love the beauty of these garments.
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These are beautiful, so delicate and feminine. I surpose they are a bit like a pash these days but much more decorative. Nice post.
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What is a pash? I’ve not heard of this fashion accessory. 🙂 And you say it’s like a pelerine? How cool!
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Hi Jenna
A pash is short for pashmina, a very fine cashmere scarf. A pash can be worn many ways and some people drape them so they resemble a pelerine.
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Beautiful fashion. I can see us wearing them today with the changes in temps inside and outside buildings. The black beaded one would be perfect for school!
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It would be, Melissa. My office is always either too hot or too cold and then going outside the building the weather always seems to be the opposite. This would be stylish wrap to combat those temps.
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These remind me of a less formal version of the bertha — though they have different purposes. I like the shape of the pelerines. I can see how they’d be particularly flattering to some figures. The jet and silk one is gorgeous. And to think, about all we have today are sequins. Great alphabet post, Jenna! This is information I can use.
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I had forgotten about the bertha! You’re absolutely right, Trish! I think they could finish an outfit beautifully. Maybe we can stage a comeback! LOL
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They are all pretty. I just don’t like the gowns. Shared on FB and tweeted.
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Well, the gowns aren’t your period, Ella. 🙂 I didn’t see any pelerines in the Regency period. Did they come later? Perhaps they used the pelisse or spencer instead.
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My fave is the white silk one.
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I love the layers! So delicate looking, too.
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I have seen these short capes before but didn’t realize there was a special term for them. The designs are gorgeous and the embroidery is amazing. So much work went into the creation of each of those lovely garments.
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And these were made mostly by hand. Lord, the hours one of them must have taken! But those were some wonderful seamstresses.
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I love the one of jet and silk…gorgeous!
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That one is my favorite, Christine!
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