From 1830 to 1849, women’s dresses reflected a dramatic shift from romantic exuberance to modest refinement. Early in the 1830s, gowns featured wide gigot sleeves, short waists, and full skirts, often adorned with bold trimmings and elaborate bodices. By the late 1830s and into the 1840s, silhouettes softened: sleeves narrowed, waistlines dropped to the natural level, and skirts became dome-shaped with gauged pleats. Fabrics ranged from printed cottons to rich silks, while high necklines and long, fitted bodices emphasized demure elegance - mirroring the era’s ideals of femininity and restraint.