A Summer Gown

How would a Victorian lass keep cool in the dog days of August? Possibly with a summer gown, from The Woman's Book of 1894. This image can be also be found in The Making of A Homemaker, curated by Erin Clements Rushing. in an excerpt from the digital collection's introductory essay, it is clear how busy a Victorian woman's life was:

The great depth of information contained in these Victorian era handbooks signifies not only the elaborate households of the era, but the amount of knowledge women were expected to obtain. Though restricted outside of her domestic sphere, within it she was brilliant. The books helped in "preserving serenity of mind amid the trials of domestic life". These volumes present not only interesting documents of women's history, but also help us to observe changes in America's domestic customs and traditions over the past few hundred years. The handbooks of the late nineteenth century also leave behind a great legacy in domestic economy guides, from Good Housekeeping to Martha Stewart.
The Smithsonian Institution Libraries hold many of these works from throughout the nineteenth century. The libraries also hold a variety of periodicals written for women during this time, including Godey's Lady's Book and Harper's Bazaar.

—Elizabeth Periale

The Woman's Book, Volume I, 1894, A Summer Gown