… 12 years after Albert’s 1861 death, showed clearly the back draping and smooth front that was evolving into a full bustle style. Difficult to obtain on a large woman, and better suited to tall, lithe figures like Queen Victoria’s friend Eugenie at the time, the extra frills and ornament not only made an all black ensemble interesting, but worked to “trick the eye” the same way stays had in the 18th century on large women.
(Photo: Victoria in full mourning 1873)