A few of the plaids were delicate…

… and always had the fashionable silhouettes of the era.  Here and 1845 sheer gown has the longer shape of the bodice with a rounded bottom (as opposed to the sharp “v” of the previous 5-8 years), and the concept of “over and under” (like we saw back in the 1805ish Regency era) of a sheer over an under skirt.

The shape at this point is made by heavy petticoats – often 6 or 7.  The gathered rather than fitted bodice was a harbinger of the day dress of the mid 1850’s that was to come to women of all classes.