I haven’t done a Rate the Dress since last October.  And the time before that was July.  And I can’t promise the next one won’t be July again, or worse.  But I can hope and try. And today’s pick is just too unique and fascinating not to show you! Last time:  A 1908 Paquin ensemble Ratings were all over the place for the Paquin ensemble.  First there was a solid runs of 8s and 9s, and then a perfect 10, and then 4 and 1 and 6s!  Every rating but a 5, so I guess no one thought it was average. Huge thanks to Daniel for identifying the original design it was based on! The Total: 7.3 out of 10 Not great.  But it leads so well into today’s post… This time: A 1873 cape in aniline purple with bobbles Today’s Rate the Dress isn’t a full ensemble.  It’s just a cape. But oh, what an interesting cape! It’s knitted from purple wool dyed with one of the newly invented and very fashionable aniline dyes, …

ate this 1880s visiting dress in plum purple silk velvet and amethyst silk ottoman, encrusted in sparkling beading…