White Silk Ball Gown

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This ball gown has a bateau neckline that sits on the edge of the shoulders. It has double puffed sleeves and a bertha decorated with roses and greenery. It also has a net tucker basted just under the neckline. Tuckers should be worn with every ball gown. It can be made of cotton or silk netting and has a drawstring encased in it so that you can slightly adjust the fit of the neckline. It also acts like a collar would in that you can remove it for frequent washings. 

The fabric for this dress is a white silk taffeta. White and lighter colored ball gowns were very popular in the mid 19th century for younger women. The lighting in a ballroom was not the best in the 1860s, therefore you wouldn't want to look like your head was "floating," so lighter colors were favored over dark colors to wear for balls.