Elizabeth Block's Book Explores Gilded Age Fashion as Social History

Elizabeth L. Block's publication 'Gilded Age Fashion,' released in March 2026 by Hardie Grant Books, examines the role of clothing in late 19th-century American society. The book analyzes 50 gowns from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, representing affluent families in cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. Block argues that attire during this period, spanning the 1870s to 1890s, served as a performance of wealth and social obligation rather than mere personal expression. Prominent women of the era sourced garments from French fashion houses such as the House of Worth, Maison Félix, the House of Doucet, and the House of Paquin, as well as from local dressmakers like Catharine Donovan in New York. The volume is structured into seven thematic chapters that follow a woman's daily routines, including 'Modish Mornings,' 'Genteel Afternoons,' and 'Elegant Evenings,' detailing attire for various occasions from weddings to royal presentations. It highlights specific items, such as a corset from Maison Félix costing $10 (equivalent to over $300 today), and explores how fashion communicated class and ambition. Block positions these garments as evidence of a visual culture built by women, with implications for understanding historical social dynamics. The book is noted for its blend of rigorous scholarship and accessible analysis, appealing to readers interested in cultural history and fashion.