The dove grey silk is trimmed with velvet, fringe and faux pearls. The bodice gives the illusion of an en coeur or “sweetheart” neckline, a popular style that emerged in the 1840s as the trim meets in the middle to form a shallow V. The skirt is fuller in the back to create a more elliptical shape than the round, bell-shape of the previous two decades. This is achieved by wearing a lightweight cage-crinoline underneath the dress.