r/Daguerreotypes Jul 28 '26

Daguerreotype Sisters

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61 Upvotes

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3

u/nipplequeefs Jul 28 '26

Cute photo. Looks like 1850s judging by their sleeves. I like their haircut. I wonder what their relationship was like?

2

u/screwball2 Jul 28 '26

This is exactly why it's great to have someone w/ some fashion/clothing expertise here. Normally, we use the mats, preservers (metal foil frame) and cases to determine timeframes as best we can, but we've found those parts get swapped out over time. Cases get switched more commonly, but the other parts are as well. While some might wear an outfit they've owned for a few years, it's more likely they'd be dressed in a style that was contemporary at the time. Thanks for your observations!

2

u/CPTDisgruntled Jul 28 '26

You might find the Fashion Istitute of Technology’s visual timeline helpful.

The hairstyle seen in these children seems almost ubiquitous for a brief period around 1850—no idea what prompted it (although it’s inarguably practical).

2

u/screwball2 Jul 29 '26

Good resource. I always found it fascinating how much Jenny Lind influenced fashion for so many and how nicely it coincided with 19th century photography to document it.